Cleveland Browns: Studs and duds following loss to Chargers

Stud: Jabrill Peppers

For the first time since the Browns drafted Jabrill Peppers in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the safety showed that he can be an electric returner.

Peppers has struggled as a return man, often running right into a defender’s tackle or not being able to break tackles. But against the Chargers, he was making plays and giving the Browns good field position.

Peppers returned five punts for 51 yards, including a 33 yard return. He also returned three kickoffs for 71 yards, with his longest kick return going for 27 yards.

Peppers’ returns were vital for the Browns, as it helped flip the field and give the Browns offense great field position. The offense was not able to capitalize on the short field, but Peppers put the Browns in great position to score points.

With the Browns special teams struggling as a whole, it was good to see a sign of progress from any aspect of the unit. The way that Peppers was running the ball on Sunday shows the potential that he could break a return for a touchdown at some point this season.

Peppers has been returning the ball much better the past two weeks than he has the rest of his career. If he continues to run hard, the Browns may not have to worry about trying to find another returner.