The Cleveland Browns drafted linebacker Jabrill Peppers from the University of Michigan with the 25th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Peppers played for the Browns for just two seasons before being traded to the Giants in March of 2019.
Peppers was one of the most admired college football defensive players after his time with the Wolverines, and he was selected in the 2017 NFL Draft. Over the course of his three seasons at Michigan, Peppers amassed a long list of honors.
He was a two-time member of the first team for the Big Ten, the 2015 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, the 2016 Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year, the 2016 Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, the 2016 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, the 2016 Paul Hornung Award, the 2016 Lott Trophy, and a 2016 Heisman Trophy nominee.
Peppers dominated on defense and special teams during his time at Michigan. His linebacker stats include 125 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 11 pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Peppers had 510 return yards, a 13.1 average on punt returns, and one touchdown as a punt returner. He averaged 25.42 yards per return on 483 career kickoff returns. Given his stellar performance, Peppers skipped his last two years of college and entered the draft.
Jabrill Peppers Stint With The Cleveland Browns
Peppers was picked by Cleveland and immediately switched to Free Safety. Peppers was immediately inserted into the starting lineup by Browns head coach Hue Jackson.
Peppers’ first season as a professional player was productive. He made 58 tackles, one tackle for loss, three pass breakups, an interception, and a fumble recovery during the season and started 13 games.
For the special teams, he returned 30 punts for 180 yards and 14 kickoffs for 318.
Who did the Browns get for Jabrill Peppers?
Peppers seemed to be a future star during his first two seasons in the league. Because of this, the news that he had been traded on March 13, 2019, shocked Browns supporters.
Cleveland exchanged guard Kevin Zeitler and Peppers for superstar receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and defensive end Olivier Vernon in order to revitalize their offense.