Cleveland Browns: Grading all the first-round moves from Thursday

Jabrill Peppers, Athlete, Michigan

After trading down to pick No. 25, the selection of Jabrill Peppers was a surprise to most. This week Peppers was in the news for the wrong reasons because it was announced he tested positive for a diluted urine sample at the NFL combine.

However, Sashi Brown and Hue Jackson felt comfortable with the information they had on Peppers and made him the selection. Peppers on the field is interesting. At Michigan he was a hybrid do-it-all type player. He played linebacker, safety, running back, and was a kick and punt returner.

Jim Harbaugh used Peppers’ freakish athletic ability to use him in multiple roles across the field. Experts are saying Peppers having no true position is a negative, however NFL Network’s Mike Mayock views it as a positive:

"“One of the my favorite players in the draft. He brings explosive energy in the locker room. The question is his ball skills and ball production. I say forget about all of that. Have a plan for this kid. When people say it’s a negative that they don’t know how to play him, I see it as a positive.”"

Sure there are questions about where his natural position will be within an NFL defense. At 5-foot-11, 213 pounds, he is considered undersized to be an every down linebacker and lacks production playing in the secondary.

Last year he had no pass deflections and only one interception. However, new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams gets an athletic weapon to line up in multiple positions all over his defensive fronts.

The Browns will play to Peppers’ strengths and use him as a run stopping strong safety in their defense. If the Browns pair Peppers with a ballhawking safety the pick will look a lot better. Peppers is better against the run than against the pass right now and the defense still lacks a coverage player in the secondary.

In addition, Peppers’ speed and athleticism made him an explosive kick and punt returner at Michigan and will give the Browns an added dimension on special teams. If the Browns have a plan in place for him the potential to hit a home run with this selection is there.