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NFL Mock Draft 2017: Defense rules early

By Brad Weiss

Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; El Paso, TX, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Mitch Trubisky (10) throws the ball against the Stanford Cardinal defense at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) walks off the field after a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers (5) walks off the field after a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jabrill Peppers

S, Michigan

Like the Tennessee Titans, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are riding their young quarterback to relevancy. Jameis Winston has looked every bit the part of a player taken with the first overall pick, and the Buccaneers are on the brink of being a perennial playoff team. They brought in wide receiver DeSean Jackson to team with Mike Evans at the position this season, and running back Doug Martin has looked fantastic in camp so far.

This offseason, the team has also done a nice job bringing in talent along the defensive side of the ball. Defensive end Chris Baker has arrived from Washington, and the team made a smart move by re-signing William Gholston. This is a team that could make a serious run in the NFC South, and bolstering their secondary has to be the priority on draft day.

Jabrill Peppers is an incredible talent, and was the most versatile player in college football last season. A linebacker for the Michigan Wolverines, Peppers will make a permanent move to safety in the NFL, where he will instantly upgrade the position for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Tampa Bay can get stops, especially in the pass-happy NFC South, they are going to be a team that will be hard to deal with in 2017.

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