[jwplayer xqUrAatf-ThvAeFxT]
Jabrill Peppers was once considered one of the nation’s most versatile football players. In high school, first at Don Bosco Prep and then at Paramus Catholic, Peppers was a New Jersey state champion in all four years playing both cornerback and running back.
At Michigan, the Wolverines benefited from Peppers’ immense athletic ability and he became an All-American as an award-winning linebacker and special teamer. He was also finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2016. Again, he played multiple positions, including offense.
As a member of the Cleveland Browns, who drafted him 25th overall in 2017, Peppers was moved to safety and retained his role as both a punt and kick returner. He continued to serve in those roles after being traded to the Giants before the 2019 season.
The Giants, like every other team before them, would like to tap into Peppers’ potential and have put all options on the table.
“I think one thing specifically on Jabrill is the versatility he brings to you,” head coach Joe Judge said this week. “He’s a guy that obviously plays a large number of roles for us on defense. He’s also handled core roles on coverage units, he’s been a returner in the past. He’s a guy that loves football. Really what he is, he’s kind of that kid in the classroom who won’t sit still. He keeps wiggling. So, you have to keep him busy all the time, otherwise he gets disruptive.
“His involvement on special teams a lot of times is just to make sure he stays out of the other coaches’ hair for about 10 minutes of each period. But he’s definitely a guy who comes to work every day, the guy I see has passion and a love for football, he’s willing to do anything the team asks of him.”
Could the Giants ask Peppers to take some reps on offense as well?
When asked his thoughts on Judge possibly using him on offense, Peppers was receptive to the idea.
“I’ll do whatever it takes to win,” Peppers said and then was asked if it would be fun since he did that at Michigan.
“Absolutely, absolutely. Definitely.”
We’ve already seen Saquon Barkley run the wildcat this offseason and Riley Dixon throwing some passes, so is Peppers on offense really that big a stretch? Probably not.
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