Patriots Sign Jabrill Peppers To A One Year Deal

When a team signs a 26 year old free agent that's already played for two teams and missed 20 games over his career, one doesn't tend to get too excited. However, learning that player was a Heisman trophy finalist and a late first round draft pick can change the doubt one has to mixed emotions that something maybe there and that's what the Jabrill Peppers signing does.

The first thing people need to under is that the only reason he's played for two teams is that the Browns traded him for OBJ which at the time was huge. The Giants felt he made the deal worth while when they shipped out their number one receiver.

Out of 81 possible games, he played in a total of 61, starting 59. He's got 25 passes defended and 4 interceptions to his name. He's forced 4 fumbles and recovered 5. He has 333 tackles with 13 quarterback hits and 4.5 sacks. He's averaged 22 yards on 34 kickoff returns and 8.35 yards on 83 punt returns but he's also fumbled 7 times, losing 2 of them. 

There goes the idea that he has a nose for the football. His recoveries were from his own mistakes.

Looking at his scouting reports coming out of Michigan, he was a hybrid defender with speed and good agility for change of direction. That was good at providing containment on the outside. It was said he also struggled in pass coverage and open field tackling. Scouts felt he was undersized and had poor control over his emotions. 

He had a left hamstring issue in college. As a pro he's had a toe sprain and a grade 1 knee strain. A pulled groin, a tailbone fracture, an ankle sprain, a strained hamstring, an right ACL tear and high ankle sprain. So in his short career, he's been banged up as much as Gronkowski it seems.

Now scouts compared him to Eric Weddle and Johnathan Cyprien when he came into the draft. Being fresh off his rookie contract, for a guy with injury history like he's had and with his level of production, the one year contract the Patriots signed him to seems about right. The worst thing that happens is he makes the 53 and gets Injured. The best thing is he earns a new contract. 

I would say don't get overly excited with this signing but don't be disappointed either. If Belichick can get the level of production out of him that he got from Philip Dorsett, then it's a good signing. I know Dorsett played receiver but still. He got something out of what's basically considered a bust as first rounders go.