Heisman Trophy 2016: Predicting each candidate’s NFL future
By John Buhler
There really is no conceivable way that Peppers will return to Ann Arbor for his senior season in 2017. When he committed to Michigan, he was a top-five player in the country. These type of five-star recruits don’t grow on trees. Peppers may not win the Heisman in 2016, but he could be a perennial Pro Bowler in the NFL for the next decade.
He is as versatile of a defensive player there is in the college game. Peppers played cornerback, safety and linebacker during his three years in Ann Arbor. Outside of the defensive line and maybe some pass rushing roles, Peppers will be in all likelihood the most productive player entering the 2017 NFL Draft on the defensive side of the ball.
With Peppers, we’re looking at somewhat of a cross between Tyrann Mathieu and Jalen Ramsey in the defensive backfield. The Mathieu comparison is that Peppers can play equally well in both press and zone coverage. Ramsey may have struggled for a terrible Jacksonville Jaguars team, but he still projects as a future star in the NFL, able to play all six defensive back positions.
Peppers can tackle, has great footwork and rarely gets beat by having next-level discipline. He will be the star defensive signal caller for an NFL defense for a decade. Peppers draws some comparisons to fellow former Wolverine Woodson, but may be more of the Kam Chancellor prototype as the linebacker/strong safety hybrid growing increasingly common in the NFL.
Late-career Woodson and prime Chancellor are the benchmarks for the type of defensive back he can be as a professional. Other guys in this role in the NFL today include Mark Barron, Deon Bucannon and Keanu Neal.
The only criticism of Peppers as an NFL prospect is that he does not have good ball skills; he didn’t record his first collegiate interception until November 2016 against Ohio State. That could limit his ability to play corner in nickel or dime scenarios. Peppers will have to be that Chancellor hybrid defensive back to be the star he can be in the NFL. The upside with Peppers is off the charts.
Ceiling: Charles Woodson
Median: Kam Chancellor
Floor: Mark Barron
2017 NFL Draft prospects: First round, top-10 pick.