CLEVELAND -- When the Cleveland Browns selected defensive back Jabrill Peppers with the No. 25 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, they did so with designs that he could positively impact the game in a multitude of ways.
However, during his first NFL season, Peppers has battled through injuries, ineffectiveness and alignments that had him playing 30 yards off of the line of scrimmage. But after moving Peppers to strong safety for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears, the Browns are excited to see what he can do for the defense.
“That is exciting,” Browns coach Hue Jackson said. “You do not want it to happen when somebody gets hurt because I think (Derrick) Kindred was doing some good things -- he really was -- but it is also exciting to watch Jabrill do something that maybe he is natural at.”
In 11 games with the Browns, Peppers has made just 49 total tackles, including 37 solo stops and 12 assists, with two passes defended. On special teams, Peppers has gained 238 yards on 11 kickoff returns and averaged 6.2 yards over 25 punt runbacks.
“He has done some great things back deep for us this year,” Jackson said. “That experience for him is going to pay off for him in his career as he continues to move forward, as well, because he has now done both.
“That is another toy for (defensive coordinator) Gregg (Williams) when we put different packages out there. People are not sure whether he is deep -- is he in the deep third? Is he up close? Where is he going to be? You get to play that game a little bit.”
As a strong safety in college, Peppers was an impact player all over the field.
In three years at Michigan, Peppers made 86 solo tackles and assisted on 33 other stops, including 18.5 for lost yardage with three sacks. Peppers intercepted one pass and defended 10 others in 12 games for the Wolverines during the 2016 season.
And the Browns believe Peppers will take the experiences he had at free safety and apply them to make himself a better strong safety.
“He has been outstanding, as a lot of these guys have,” Jackson said. “A lot of these young guys, they are grateful and thankful for the opportunity. They are learning their way in the National Football League and what works for them.
“I commend the men in that room because they come here every week with the right mindset and with the right attitude to work, to get better, to do anything they can to go win a football game. That is what we have to continue to try to do.”
