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5 NFL teams that should draft Jabrill Peppers

By Brad Weiss

Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) on the field against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) on the field against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jabrill Peppers is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, which will be presented on Saturday. Here are five teams who should draft him next April.

Back in high school, Jabrill Peppers was an incredible football and track star in the state of New Jersey. The East Orange native helped lead two dominant New Jersey parochial schools to state championships, cementing his place as one of the best recruits in the nation. When it came time to pick a school, Peppers choose the University of Michigan, and both he and the program could not have been happier with the results.

After having to redshirt after an injury during his true freshman season, Peppers burst on the scene the next season. Peppers was a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award, which is given to college football’s most versatile player, Peppers starred for the Wolverines on offense, defense and special teams. Peppers would be named first team All-Big Ten for his efforts in his first full season with Michigan, setting the stage for another incredible season in 2016.

In 2016, Peppers actually won the Hornung Award, finishing the year as one of the most electric players in the nation. The redshirt sophomore won three individual Big Ten awards as well, becoming the first player in conference history to do so. Peppers was once again named a first-team All-Big Ten honoree, as he helped lead his Wolverines to the Orange Bowl. On Saturday, Peppers will be one of the five finalists for the Heisman Trophy, a perfect capper to an incredible collegiate career.

While he has not declared yet, Peppers is likely to enter next April’s NFL Draft and these five teams would make a great fit for the incredible talent out of Michigan.

Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton against the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton against the Detroit Lions during the second half of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Lions defeated the Saints 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

5. New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints have one of the most explosive offenses in football, as Drew Brees continues to prove that he can sling the ball all over the field. The issue for the team has not been putting points on the board, but it has kept other teams out of the end zone. The Saints are likely to be picking in the top-10 next April, and while Peppers may not be available where they pick, he would be a steal for them if they can move up to get him.

New Orleans is lacking an identity on defense, and more specifically, a star player on that side of the ball. The team needs help in the secondary, as they have struggled this season keeping guys like Matthew Stafford and Matt Ryan at bay.

Peppers is the most versatile player in college football, and the Saints need someone who is going to fill multiple roles on their defense. The Saints have also long been known for having a great return game, which Peppers could also help out in as well. Saints fans are some of the best in the game, and Peppers would certainly be a fan favorite due to his production all over the field.

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