NFL Draft 2017: Top Prospects from Michigan

Linebacker: Jabrill Peppers (Redshirt Sophomore)

Jabrill Pepper lands at #7 Lance Zierlein Top 10 list of college linebackers:

"Peppers will be making the move from safety to strong-side linebacker this year, which should help his stock. Peppers is well-built and should be able to carry more mass on his frame. We already know he can run and cover. Peppers will be considered a third-down factor with coverage versatility, which is what NFL teams look for from linebackers in today’s game. While Peppers plays with good instincts and should be in position for 80-plus tackles this season, he has a tendency to duck his head into his tackles and will need to improve his form now that he’ll be called on to be more of a finisher around the line of scrimmage."

Michigan defensive coordinator, Don Brown, moved Peppers to the Sam linebacker in order to get his highlight reel player closer to the ball. The Sam linebacker is a featured role in Brown’s defense and they hope to unleash Peppers on opposing skill players. Peppers natural instincts are to attack and he will be allowed to do that in 2016.

While Peppers primary role will be as a Sam linebacker, don’t expect that to be his only role. Teams will scheme to try to expose his size, but Peppers versatility will allow him to line up at both safety and nickel corner. Harbaugh has previously referred to Peppers as the “Willie Mays of football” because of his skill set.

His highlight video backs up Harbaugh’s claim of Peppers being a five-tool player:

Over the next nine months, you’re going to hear and read plenty of people hyping Peppers for his skills. This, of course, includes himself as you can see in the tweet below:

Did he really run a 4.34? It’s defiantly possible. He did make the NFL’s “Fastest 16 player in 2016” list. If he did run that fast, at his listed weight of 208 pounds, that would be impressive. But, the rumors out of the Michigan camp is that he’s closer to 225 pounds right now.

So if you believe the rumors, he has linebacker size with corner back speed. If true, watch him fly up draft boards, maybe even into the top half of round one.

So what position does Peppers best fit in the NFL? Linebacker? Safety? Money Linebacker? Honestly, it doesn’t matter what his position title will be, he’s a play maker and one lucky defensive coordinator will get to use him wherever they want.

Next up: Michigan’s defensive back unit is one of the strongest in college football.

Next: Defensive Backs