i would want to know, hopefully from some educated football minds on this forum, where would peppers be best suited to play in our defense? and how does he grade out playing specifically in that role? his versatility and talent may launch him into top 20 discussion , but does his role and skill set in a dolphins uniform justify him as a the pick @ 22 for our team?
The most educated minds in the NFL have the same questions, not just those on this forum. Versatility is just a fun buzzword for Peppers confirming he doesn't do one thing very well, although one could argue a returner and have a strong case. Just because you can line up in a multitude of spots doesn't create value if it can't be translated to the next level. Jack of all trades can also be defined as Master of none. It's a valid knock. Where he does excel is in off the field intangibles. Great character, great teammate, willing to do what is asked of him, and a dynamic player with the ball in his hands. That counts for a lot but where he plays is work in progress, even for a creative DC.
Let's take a look at some suggested positions for Peppers.
LB: Not happening in the NFL. Not even as a WLB in an Under Front. Next.
SS or S/LB hybrid: He played OK in the box as a DB in college, but most of his impact came on plays when he was completely unblocked. He's a great tackler in space, but that won't happen nearly as often in the NFL. Especially as we continue towards the trend of Nickel being our base. That in fact puts more pressure on the back 7 for proper run fits. As an overhang run defender in Brown's defense (Force philosophy) their responsibility is to defend the seam and be a lever player meaning to keep the ball on their inside shoulder to force the ball back to inside help. He executed this on many occasions but you have to consider the quality of offense he faced and the offensive lineman carrying out the tasks against him. NFL blockers won't be so forgiving (or untalented) on outside runs and will eliminate him due to his lack of size by either driving him out of the play or easily carrying around on an outside loop. And again, being in Nickel eliminates any free run defenders so he must be a factor and be able to shed blocks, not be engulfed by them which he was on many many occasions. Dime they can be had, as it was in Brown's defense as the "PUP" player was an alley defender (6th DB) but then you're primary goal w/ 6 DBs is strictly a passing situation so it's somewhat irrelevant in the NFL.
FS: He'll have to take on a serious learning curve to play FS at the NFL level as the FS is the "QB" for the secondary. He must learn to quickly recognize route concepts and have a great feel on where/when/how to break on the ball in coverage being the last line of defense. He maybe can play here but it will take a few years.
Slot Corner: He struggles in man coverage as he doesn't play very comfortable in space and we're a heavy man coverage defense. He can tackle downhill in space very well (left unblocked) but he doesn't defend well 1v1. Watch him vs a good WR like OSU's Curtis Samuel and you'll see the his inability to diagnose routes, slow reaction time, and poor recovery.
My Conclusion: JaBell Peppers is a 3rd round project who will need a good amount of time for development to become an every down impact defender (2-3 years) with his only immediate impact on special teams which negates any first round consideration. Where I could see him in our defense is as a Cover 2 safety for us, but the moment we have to bring an extra defender in to the box for run help, it forces off coverage for the CBs and a true FS situation. Neither of which Jones nor Peppers are suited for.
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You ever thought of doing tape breakdowns? I'd be curious to see your version of assessment against the video posted
The video posted is a highlight reel. Not a proper evaluation.