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Jabrill Peppers? (Thomas Davis/Shaq Thompson clone)


JustWinPlease

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Sorry if this has been discussed, but I searched the topics and couldn't find anything on it. haven't heard anyone mention it either, on the radio or elsewhere. But, Sean McDermott took Thomas Davis (former safety) and Shaq Thompson (former jack-of-all-trades) and ran a great defense with them in Carolina. Could Jabrill Peppers fill this role, since we need a OLB/SS on our defense? He seems like the exact kind of player that McDermott would fall in love with. Peppers and Thompson seem like the same player to me, the question is how much could Peppers bulk up if McDermott sees him as an OLB?

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000473401/article/nfl-teams-say-shaq-thompson-should-play-strong-safety-as-pro

(I think trading down is a wise move with so many holes to fill, but if he's there in the 2nd round it would be a no-brainer.)



"The ultimate Swiss Army Knife on the collegiate level, and will likely play a hybrid role on the next level that allows him to blitz, cover and chase."

(
He's compared to Eric Weddle...but I don't think Thomas Davis is a stretch either.)

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/jabrill-peppers?id=2557980


*Davis and Thompson are both 6-1/6-2 and 230-235 pounds, so Peppers would need to be able to put 20-25 pounds onto his frame at some point to play OLB.

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Not sure he's as big as Thompson or Davis but definitely as athletic (or more). Also not the tackler they are.

 

He probably fits best as a safety who can move around and do a little of everything for someone like the Steelers or Titans. If he somehow got to the 2nd round when the Bills pick then have to take him there and develop him into a playmaker in this scheme.

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I was watching the NFLN yesterday and they were discussing the combine. Peppers came up and the discussion centered around why he was "registered" as a LB and not a safety. I believe it was Mayock, but I can't be certain, who opined that Peppers was not trying to show off his versatility, but rather mask his footwork and technique weaknesses as a DB. He felt that Peppers draft stock would plummet if he ran drills with the other DB's.

 

FWIW

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Not sure he's as big as Thompson or Davis but definitely as athletic (or more). Also not the tackler they are.

 

He probably fits best as a safety who can move around and do a little of everything for someone like the Steelers or Titans. If he somehow got to the 2nd round when the Bills pick then have to take him there and develop him into a playmaker in this scheme.

he wasnt a playmaker in college. I don't think he would be one in the pros. I was really high on him before the season but once I watched a few games I realized he was nothing special
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He's a luxury pick for a good team with a creative OC that doesn't have a lot of needs and can play him on offense and to return kicks. Maybe a few defensive packages as a blitzer. Bottom line is he is best with the ball in his hands. Great agility, not great cover skills and questionable straight line speed.

 

I could see him going to Dallas.

Edited by YoloinOhio
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I think it's legal to quote myself.

 

Peppers was the first in Big Ten history to win the B1G trifecta: Defensive Player of the Year (yes, over Hooker), Linebacker of the Year, and Return Specialist of the Year. An All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist, Peppers would be a playmaker in McDermott's "Shaq Thompson LB/Box Safety" role. His versatility is a trait Doug Whaley adores.

We know the Bills are going to need 3-4 Safeties, by re-signings, Free Agency, or by Draft. Aaron Williams is a big wild card, with his second neck injury in two years. We'll find out soon if he returns to football. Safeties play a huge role in the McDermott Defense, and, not including Aaron, the Bills have two free agents each at SS (Ihedigbo, Blanton) and FS (Sergio Brown, Meeks). I expect Doug Whaley to fill AT LEAST one Safety hole before April 27th. It's very possible that the Bills would also "double-dip" in the Safety-rich draft. There are options in RD2 and beyond who also fit MCDermott's LB/S mold: Xavier Woods caught a Bills' interview at the Shrine Game, and BC's John Johnson had Bills' scouts at two of his games.

~Dean Kindig, Bills Analyst

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I think it's legal to quote myself.

 

Peppers was the first in Big Ten history to win the B1G trifecta: Defensive Player of the Year (yes, over Hooker), Linebacker of the Year, and Return Specialist of the Year. An All-American and Heisman Trophy finalist,

in McDermott's "Shaq Thompson LB/Box Safety" role. His versatility is a trait Doug Whaley adores.

 

We know the Bills are going to need 3-4 Safeties, by re-signings, Free Agency, or by Draft. Aaron Williams is a big wild card, with his second neck injury in two years. We'll find out soon if he returns to football. Safeties play a huge role in the McDermott Defense, and, not including Aaron, the Bills have two free agents each at SS (Ihedigbo, Blanton) and FS (Sergio Brown, Meeks). I expect Doug Whaley to fill AT LEAST one Safety hole before April 27th. It's very possible that the Bills would also "double-dip" in the Safety-rich draft. There are options in RD2 and beyond who also fit MCDermott's LB/S mold: Xavier Woods caught a Bills' interview at the Shrine Game, and BC's John Johnson had Bills' scouts at two of his games.

~Dean Kindig, Bills Analyst

i think he WAS a playmaker. Harbaugh did him a disservice though playing him in all those different positions just trying to squeeze a hesiman out of him if they wanted him to become an NFL ready LB or Safety. I just think he was the third best defensive player on his own team. Most felt it was a joke he won big10 DPOY. Should have been Taco. Edited by YoloinOhio
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Peppers just doesn't have a position or production. I'm with Yolo that he's probably best with the ball in his hands. I'd be more surprised if he went in the 1st than in the 3rd. He's a great athlete but not a great prospect.

i think he WAS a playmaker. Harbaugh did him a disservice though playing him in all those different positions just trying to squeeze a hesiman out of him if they wanted him to become an NFL ready LB or Safety. I just think he was the third best defensive player on his own team. Most felt it was a joke he won big10 DPOY. Should have been Taco.

He wasn't a top 5 defensive player in the Big 10 (Taco, Watt, Hooker, King, Wormley).
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Peppers just doesn't have a position or production. I'm with Yolo that he's probably best with the ball in his hands. I'd be more surprised if he went in the 1st than in the 3rd. He's a great athlete but not a great prospect.

He wasn't a top 5 defensive player in the Big 10 (Taco, Watt, Hooker, King, Wormley).

yep and you can throw in Tyquan Lewis and Marshawn Lattimore. Lattimore is projected to go 2nd overall in the latest mock i saw. I agree on some of the awards peppers got but big 10 DPoY was a laugh. Edited by YoloinOhio
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