2017 NFL Mock Draft: Mad Rush At Start For Top Defenders

Jabrill Peppers . 4. player. 52. If by some miracle Gus Bradley survives into 2017, and that looks like a stretch, then it’s time for him to stop screwing around. If he’s going to save his own neck, he has to do it his way. That means going back to the roots of what made him successful. Jacksonville has the makings of a pretty solid defense but they still need more pieces before they can take that critical last step to relevance. Finding a dynamic playmaker at safety is atop the list. <p>Jabrill Peppers is probably the best overall athlete in the entire class. He’s got the size of a linebacker but can run like a corner. Naturally this makes safety look like his ideal position. In terms of tackling and playing around the line of scrimmage he’s already a force. It will be up to Bradley and his staff to help him with his raw issues in pass coverage. If they can work out the kinks, they got a potential superstar in the making. To say nothing of his special teams value.</p>. S. Michigan