DeaconMoss
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Sorry for the typo Jabrill in the title.
I have watched the 2015 games when he was a RS freshman playing safety. I have watched the big games from last year, Ohio State, Wisconsin Penn State as a LB\S hybrid.
This guy is an electric return guy. This is probably my favorite part of his game film. I think in coverage he is a bit grabby. Likes to put his hands on the WR at the point when something is about to happen, like a break in the route or the QB rolls. He has gotten beat as a straight cover guy plenty of times. He is extremely versatile, which is my second favorite thing about him. He can line up outside, inside on the slot, on TE's and rb's. But with that being said, he seems small on the field. And his sub 5'11 frame is not the best for today's matchup league. But he is quite strong which shows when covering and tackling TE's. He has great closing speed, and great makeup speed. When he decides to go, he goes fast. Has above average reaction skills. He is a very aware player on the field and has great change of direction. I love his personality and seems to love the game. He tries to run around and avoid blocks, rather than shed them. my biggest concern is on the field lack of production. I know he played close to the LOS last year which limited his INT potential and his only year as a Safety he was a RS Freshman. His ceiling is high I think, once he gets the chance to focus on one position and one scheme.
FWIW: I have heard people throw around Woodson, Earl Thomas, Eric Berry and Polamalu. Thats awesome that people throw those comparisons out, but the film doesn't show that. That is the highest of all ceilings for any Safety. Right now I think he is a faster version of JJ Wilcox, with equal coverage skills, that takes better tackling angles, with better ball skills and can contribute day 1 as a return guy.
Link to the film:
http://draftbreakdown.com/players/jabrill-peppers/
NFL Site:
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jabrill-peppers?id=2557980
OVERVIEW
A New Jersey kid who wanted to play for Michigan because of Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, Peppers' home life wasn't easy. His father spent most of Jabrill's childhood in jail, and his brother was shot and killed seven years ago. Football seems to be his calling, though, as he was named the 2013 USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year while also starring on offense and in track (won 100 meters and 200 meters at state in both his junior and senior years.) Peppers' collegiate career was sidetracked due to a leg injury after three games (one start, eight tackles). He picked up the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award and first-team all-conference in 2015 (5.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass break-ups; 72 rush yards, 2 TDs; 27.9 kick return average, 11.4 punt return average). Last fall, he was the conference Linebacker of the Year and first-team honoree (72 tackles, 16 for loss, four sacks, one INT). He did not play in the Orange Bowl, however, due to a hamstring injury that flared up in practice.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Athletic and fluid in space with desired change of direction talent. Moves with the changing flow of a play. Willing to sacrifice body to honor contain against run. Jack of all trades. Can play slot, safety or linebacker in sub-packages in any given game. Won't hesitate to race downhill once he diagnoses run. Hits with as much force as he can muster. Has big closing burst. Runs plays down from sideline to sideline. Able to knife into gaps and make tackles for losses or disrupt runs. Has man cover talent and is physical enough to handle most tight ends. Has enough quickness to match receivers. Aggressively re-routes receivers. Capable blitzer who buzzes in from all angles. Electric return man with ability to charge up crowd and his own sideline with big kick or punt return. Has experience carrying and catching the ball and as wildcat quarterback. Could offer red-zone flexibility on offense.
WEAKNESSES
Scouts question his instincts and lack of ball production. Has just one interception and 10 passes defensed at Michigan. Slow to recognize construct of play and can be found playing through a straw at times. Needs better recognition and anticipation to become an improvising play-maker. Doesn't always trust his feet in coverage and will maul at the top of the route. Just a guy when asked to play deep safety. Slow to read and range until ball is in the air. Can be overzealous against play-action and drawn below his deep ball responsibilities. Too small for take-on duties at linebacker. Leads into tackles with ducked head. Opts to hit rather than wrap-up.
SOURCES TELL US
"These comparisons to Charles Woodson are nuts. Both are really good return men, but Woody is one of the greatest playmakers of all-time. Peppers has one interception and I don't think he's ever forced a fumble. Michigan might move him around too much. He will really improve when he can lock in and learn a position." -- AFC Director of Scouting
NFL COMPARISON
Eric Weddle
BOTTOM LINE
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, Peppers' draft value will be helped by his return ability and that is a role he should maintain throughout the earlier stages of his career. While Peppers doesn't have the production teams expect from first-round defenders, he should benefit from a role that is more clearly defined on the next level.
CBS Site
STRENGTHS: Peppers possesses a compact, muscular frame and the easy athleticism that translates well to the NFL. Peppers is one of the most instinctive players in the country, showing terrific awareness and the closing speed to take full advantage of his awareness. He accelerates quickly, showing the quick-twitch burst to flash through gaps and close on ballcarriers and easily changes directions, possessing loose hips, greasy knees and flexible ankles to elude would-be blockers or defenders attempting to tackle him, alike. Peppers' agility and acceleration help him remain in the hip pocket of receivers, helping him project well to safety or even cornerback at the next level, should that be the need of his future NFL team. Despite his lack of ideal size for playing near the line of scrimmage, Peppers is a highly competitive and surprisingly physical defender, unselfishly taking on blockers to push ballcarriers toward the cavalry. Though he will occasionally come in too hot and leave himself off-balanced, Peppers is a very reliable open-field tackler, showing impressive closing speed and surprising pop with his hits. He wraps securely and does not back down from bigger ballcarriers, showing toughness and technique, alike, to limit yards after contact. Peppers is a natural with the ball in his hands, showing excellent vision, patience, elusiveness and acceleration as a returner. Though he only has one career interception, Peppers tracks the ball well and shows good hands, including the ability to pluck outside of his frame. Peppers possesses excellent straight-line speed. He won the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash at the New Jersey Meet of Championships as a junior and senior, becoming the second male in meet history to win both events in consecutive years, breaking the state record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 20.79 seconds in the championship meet as a junior.
WEAKNESSES: Will be viewed by some as a tweener, lacking the bulk to remain close to the line of scrimmage, and has limited experience playing deep in coverage. He is surprisingly strong but is often reliant upon avoiding rather than taking on blocks and is knocked to the ground too often, struggling to recover when knocked off-balance. He is hyper-aggressive in pursuit, attacking the ball with such fervor that he leaves cutback lanes for savvy ballcarriers to exploit. This issue is exacerbated by Peppers' lack of ideal length, leaving him grasping at air as runners hesitate and let him run by. Despite his reputation as a playmaker, Peppers recorded just one interception (and one forced fumble) during his college career.
IN OUR VIEW: A wolverine personified, what Peppers lacks in size he makes up for with ferocity and speed. Michigan featured him on offense, defense and special teams and his NFL team would be wise to do the same as Peppers is a natural playmaker capable of starring in any number of roles, depending on the down, distance and creativity of his coaches.
COMPARES TO: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers (retired) -- Few players can match Polamalu's instincts, improvisation and flair for the dramatic but Peppers is close. He will occasionally frustrate with his over-aggressive style of play but like Polamalu, Peppers will make more big plays than he will ever surrender.
I have watched the 2015 games when he was a RS freshman playing safety. I have watched the big games from last year, Ohio State, Wisconsin Penn State as a LB\S hybrid.
This guy is an electric return guy. This is probably my favorite part of his game film. I think in coverage he is a bit grabby. Likes to put his hands on the WR at the point when something is about to happen, like a break in the route or the QB rolls. He has gotten beat as a straight cover guy plenty of times. He is extremely versatile, which is my second favorite thing about him. He can line up outside, inside on the slot, on TE's and rb's. But with that being said, he seems small on the field. And his sub 5'11 frame is not the best for today's matchup league. But he is quite strong which shows when covering and tackling TE's. He has great closing speed, and great makeup speed. When he decides to go, he goes fast. Has above average reaction skills. He is a very aware player on the field and has great change of direction. I love his personality and seems to love the game. He tries to run around and avoid blocks, rather than shed them. my biggest concern is on the field lack of production. I know he played close to the LOS last year which limited his INT potential and his only year as a Safety he was a RS Freshman. His ceiling is high I think, once he gets the chance to focus on one position and one scheme.
FWIW: I have heard people throw around Woodson, Earl Thomas, Eric Berry and Polamalu. Thats awesome that people throw those comparisons out, but the film doesn't show that. That is the highest of all ceilings for any Safety. Right now I think he is a faster version of JJ Wilcox, with equal coverage skills, that takes better tackling angles, with better ball skills and can contribute day 1 as a return guy.
Link to the film:
http://draftbreakdown.com/players/jabrill-peppers/
NFL Site:
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jabrill-peppers?id=2557980
OVERVIEW
A New Jersey kid who wanted to play for Michigan because of Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson, Peppers' home life wasn't easy. His father spent most of Jabrill's childhood in jail, and his brother was shot and killed seven years ago. Football seems to be his calling, though, as he was named the 2013 USA Today High School Defensive Player of the Year while also starring on offense and in track (won 100 meters and 200 meters at state in both his junior and senior years.) Peppers' collegiate career was sidetracked due to a leg injury after three games (one start, eight tackles). He picked up the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award and first-team all-conference in 2015 (5.5 tackles for loss, 10 pass break-ups; 72 rush yards, 2 TDs; 27.9 kick return average, 11.4 punt return average). Last fall, he was the conference Linebacker of the Year and first-team honoree (72 tackles, 16 for loss, four sacks, one INT). He did not play in the Orange Bowl, however, due to a hamstring injury that flared up in practice.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Athletic and fluid in space with desired change of direction talent. Moves with the changing flow of a play. Willing to sacrifice body to honor contain against run. Jack of all trades. Can play slot, safety or linebacker in sub-packages in any given game. Won't hesitate to race downhill once he diagnoses run. Hits with as much force as he can muster. Has big closing burst. Runs plays down from sideline to sideline. Able to knife into gaps and make tackles for losses or disrupt runs. Has man cover talent and is physical enough to handle most tight ends. Has enough quickness to match receivers. Aggressively re-routes receivers. Capable blitzer who buzzes in from all angles. Electric return man with ability to charge up crowd and his own sideline with big kick or punt return. Has experience carrying and catching the ball and as wildcat quarterback. Could offer red-zone flexibility on offense.
WEAKNESSES
Scouts question his instincts and lack of ball production. Has just one interception and 10 passes defensed at Michigan. Slow to recognize construct of play and can be found playing through a straw at times. Needs better recognition and anticipation to become an improvising play-maker. Doesn't always trust his feet in coverage and will maul at the top of the route. Just a guy when asked to play deep safety. Slow to read and range until ball is in the air. Can be overzealous against play-action and drawn below his deep ball responsibilities. Too small for take-on duties at linebacker. Leads into tackles with ducked head. Opts to hit rather than wrap-up.
SOURCES TELL US
"These comparisons to Charles Woodson are nuts. Both are really good return men, but Woody is one of the greatest playmakers of all-time. Peppers has one interception and I don't think he's ever forced a fumble. Michigan might move him around too much. He will really improve when he can lock in and learn a position." -- AFC Director of Scouting
NFL COMPARISON
Eric Weddle
BOTTOM LINE
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, Peppers' draft value will be helped by his return ability and that is a role he should maintain throughout the earlier stages of his career. While Peppers doesn't have the production teams expect from first-round defenders, he should benefit from a role that is more clearly defined on the next level.
CBS Site
STRENGTHS: Peppers possesses a compact, muscular frame and the easy athleticism that translates well to the NFL. Peppers is one of the most instinctive players in the country, showing terrific awareness and the closing speed to take full advantage of his awareness. He accelerates quickly, showing the quick-twitch burst to flash through gaps and close on ballcarriers and easily changes directions, possessing loose hips, greasy knees and flexible ankles to elude would-be blockers or defenders attempting to tackle him, alike. Peppers' agility and acceleration help him remain in the hip pocket of receivers, helping him project well to safety or even cornerback at the next level, should that be the need of his future NFL team. Despite his lack of ideal size for playing near the line of scrimmage, Peppers is a highly competitive and surprisingly physical defender, unselfishly taking on blockers to push ballcarriers toward the cavalry. Though he will occasionally come in too hot and leave himself off-balanced, Peppers is a very reliable open-field tackler, showing impressive closing speed and surprising pop with his hits. He wraps securely and does not back down from bigger ballcarriers, showing toughness and technique, alike, to limit yards after contact. Peppers is a natural with the ball in his hands, showing excellent vision, patience, elusiveness and acceleration as a returner. Though he only has one career interception, Peppers tracks the ball well and shows good hands, including the ability to pluck outside of his frame. Peppers possesses excellent straight-line speed. He won the 100-meter dash and the 200-meter dash at the New Jersey Meet of Championships as a junior and senior, becoming the second male in meet history to win both events in consecutive years, breaking the state record in the 200 meter dash with a time of 20.79 seconds in the championship meet as a junior.
WEAKNESSES: Will be viewed by some as a tweener, lacking the bulk to remain close to the line of scrimmage, and has limited experience playing deep in coverage. He is surprisingly strong but is often reliant upon avoiding rather than taking on blocks and is knocked to the ground too often, struggling to recover when knocked off-balance. He is hyper-aggressive in pursuit, attacking the ball with such fervor that he leaves cutback lanes for savvy ballcarriers to exploit. This issue is exacerbated by Peppers' lack of ideal length, leaving him grasping at air as runners hesitate and let him run by. Despite his reputation as a playmaker, Peppers recorded just one interception (and one forced fumble) during his college career.
IN OUR VIEW: A wolverine personified, what Peppers lacks in size he makes up for with ferocity and speed. Michigan featured him on offense, defense and special teams and his NFL team would be wise to do the same as Peppers is a natural playmaker capable of starring in any number of roles, depending on the down, distance and creativity of his coaches.
COMPARES TO: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers (retired) -- Few players can match Polamalu's instincts, improvisation and flair for the dramatic but Peppers is close. He will occasionally frustrate with his over-aggressive style of play but like Polamalu, Peppers will make more big plays than he will ever surrender.