When the New York Giants traded star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns earlier this offseason, the main focus was on the first and third-round draft picks that the Giants received in return.
Because of that, another big piece New York landed was lost in the shuffle: young safety Jabrill Peppers.
Peppers was a first-round pick of the Browns' back in 2017, and after a rough rookie year in which he was playing out of position at free safety, the University of Michigan product rebounded nicely in his natural position at strong safety this past season, playing in all 16 games and totaling 79 tackles, a sack, an interception, three fumble recoveries, and five passes defended.
Earlier this week, Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report published an article on the players most likely to break out in 2019, and at safety, he chose Peppers as his player on the rise.
“It might not take long before we see Peppers as more than just ‘the guy who was traded for Odell Beckham Jr.',” wrote Gagnon. “Giants general manager Dave Gettleman seemed to view the Michigan product as a a deal-breaker in that trade, and he might not be off-base if he believes Peppers can replace departed star Landon Collins.”
Indeed, Peppers will have some big shoes to fill, as the Giants allowed three-time Pro Bowl safety Collins to walk via free agency. Peppers is just 23 years old, so he has plenty of time to realize his potential.
New York won just five games in 2018.
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