Where does Peppers fit best in the NFL (team/scheme wise)?

Submitted by Mr. Yost on

I realize there was a thread about where Peppers fit position wise, actually it was more about who he most resembles in the NFL in terms of skillset.

I, like many of you, watch an insane amount of college football on Saturday.. With that said, I usually don't have much left in tank for NFL Sunday, I watch, but I don't follow nearly as closely.

For those of you that do, what teams run a defense that would best fit Peppers?

I suppose you first have to decide his position. IMO, he's not going to be a CB in the NFL if he's not one in college, we've seen him in coverage and it's not terrible, but it's not NFL calibur either. I personally don't think he's big enough to hold up as a LB for a long-term NFL career. I think he's capable of playing as a deep safety, but it seems like a waste of his talent having him 15+ yards down field every snap. I'm sure he could do it, but you need the Ed Reed/Sean Taylor range if you're going to be dominant and play that deep safety spot. So that leaves the "in the box"/physical type safety that is disappearing from some defenses. Maybe hybrid LB/Nickel behind a huge DL?

I've always thought his defensive playing style was similar to Troy Polamalu, so I assumed the Steelers would be a good fit, but I truly have no idea.

Obviously any team would love to have him, but where would he fit best (when it comes to scheme, not your favorite team) to reach his Hall of Fame level potential?

EDIT: Or...do you just flat out think he fits better on offense if the goal is to reach the HOF?

xtramelanin

October 20th, 2016 at 5:41 AM ^

stay in school.  get his degree, maybe a master's too.  his talents just won't translate in the NFL.   

if somehow he did get a try out on a pro team, i could see them using him as a straight-up safety, except in certain very special situations.  pros don't run things like the RPO and so a 'space-backer' isn't a thing that is needed, or at least, needed very much.  he'd definitely return kicks for somebody.   could also do some gadget stuff on offense where he wildcats or does some jet sweep stuff and makes the other team take up practice time scheming how to stop that. 

 

 

xtramelanin

October 20th, 2016 at 6:20 AM ^

excepting the 'try out' comment, the second part of my post was serious.   his extraordinary abilities on that space-backer issue are not in huge demand in the pros, or at least not that i've seen.  i think he'll be a great safety (and kick returner), not a corner.  

i suppose he could play LB, but he'd be in the earnie sims' mode - remember the 5' 11" LB the lions drafted from FSU about 12 yrs ago?  the guy was undersized but way fast and fearless.  he had a productive pro career.  peppers is a better athlete, but maybe a tad smaller?   

DrMantisToboggan

October 20th, 2016 at 5:47 AM ^

Well he is basically both Deone Buchannon and Tyrann Mathieu for the Cardinals, a speedy linebacker that was a college safety and a true safety, respectively.

So, whichever other teams uses peppers-like people lol.



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andidklein

October 20th, 2016 at 6:39 AM ^

I agree he just needs a coaching staff that understands where to play him. Forget about Arizona because they already have that. I'm looking at Pittsburgh, New England or Baltimore (trust in Harbaugh) but I see him primarily as a safety, but he can give you so many different looks defensively that you can disguise what you're bringing from play to play.

And yes he needs to stay one more year to work on his technique.



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pescadero

October 20th, 2016 at 11:26 AM ^

21 years old was Buchannons senior year.

 

He was 6'1, 215 lbs. He benched 225 19 times, and ran a 4.49 40.

He was #2 all time in the PAC-12 in solo tackles.

 

Peppers is more athletic, and a little faster. I'm not sure he's any stronger... and Buchannon had a better run support resume, and a much better coverage resume.

 

 

wildbackdunesman

October 20th, 2016 at 6:24 AM ^

Where does Peppers fit best in the NFL?

I would have to say Peppers fits best as a rookie in the 2019-2020 season after having earned his degree and a master's degree as well.  You can't put a price on education these days, especially with all of the on the field injuries in the NFL.

DrMantisToboggan

October 20th, 2016 at 8:18 AM ^

He would certainly take over Pat Chung's role in the defense, even though Chung has been much better in his 2nd go round with the team.

However, as much I would love to watch Pep on my Pats every weekend, there is no way he is still on the board at pick 32 and BB isn't exactly a "trade up" guy.



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BrownJuggernaut

October 20th, 2016 at 8:56 AM ^

Yeah, it would take some outlandish trade with an extremely desperate team that needs a quarterback to get in a position to get Peppers. I don't think another team would trade a top 10 pick for Jimmy G. I don't think that the Patriots would or should trade Jimmy G for just any first rounder that comes their way. As much as I hate to think about life after Brady, Garappolo has shown the most and seems like a guy that can take the throne. If I'm the Patriots, I'd need to be able to get a special, transformative player for it to be worthwhile. Peppers is that. I'd love Peppers on the Patriots.

 

DrMantisToboggan

October 20th, 2016 at 9:33 AM ^

Yeah, it would probably take a bad injury to one of the top QB's in this draft or a bad injury situation to another team with a high draft pick to want to give up a top 10 pick for Jimmy. 

I do like what I have seen from Jimmy and think he can pick up where Brady left off (not saying he is the second coming, but he can keep the ship afloat). However, if you could get a mega talent by trading him, I don't think that the future QB situation would be much worse off with Brissett and a 2nd/3rd round QB draft pick this year or next. 

Roughneck

October 20th, 2016 at 6:45 AM ^

Fuck Kordell Stewart, Jabrill is the true "Slash." I expect his main position will be as a run stopping, blitzing Strong Safety, just flying all over the field.

I think his best position would be as an every down back, in college or the pros. Dude is just electric with the ball in his hands.



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DrMantisToboggan

October 20th, 2016 at 8:21 AM ^

I don't think anyone's best position is an every down back in the NFL. That is just condemning that person to basically a disabled lower body for the rest of their lives. He can get some of that in in college, but he should definitely play a DB-like position in the NFL, for longevity sake. Learn from Uncle Chuck.



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M Ascending

October 20th, 2016 at 7:22 AM ^

He will have a good career in the NFL as either a strong safety or a slot back/ receiver. Position changes are more and more common these days, e.g. Terrelle Pryor. Pep's incredible athleticism will ensure a viable career.

Red_Lee

October 20th, 2016 at 9:19 AM ^

I'd watch pros again if the Lions drafted him. Let him try safety, LB, RB and return guy. Guarantee he would be the best at one of those. Just imagine Peppers sacking stupid sexy Rodgers. Honestly I could see some team trying him seriously at RB (Denver?).

Hard-Baughlls

October 20th, 2016 at 9:34 AM ^

Holding the MVP trophy. Like Brady and Desmond before him.

Or perhaps accepting the Defensive MVP Award like Charles Woodson.

 

 

taistreetsmyhero

October 20th, 2016 at 9:48 AM ^

The only position he could play on defense is strong safety/hybrid. He will also be your team's PR/KR. But I think he could thrive as a superior Tavon Austin on offense. Team would probably plug him into multiple places and see where they need him most. Doesn't matter what team he'd be best on because he's going top 10.



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