Jabrill Peppers
(Rick Osentoski / AP)

New York Giants safety Jabrill Peppers is ready to be an effective asset for this defense in this upcoming 2019 season. 

When the Cleveland Browns drafted Jabrill Peppers out of the University of Michigan in 2017, fans knew they were getting a stud. Peppers shined as a Michigan Wolverine as both a safety and as a return specialist. However, he still feels as if he hasn’t played up to his potential.

Peppers has totaled 136 tackles and two interceptions through 29 career games. The Browns were then willing to trade him for star receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Now playing for a new team, Peppers is ready to pick up the pace and be effective in the secondary for the New York Giants.

“Even before the trade, I was saying that I have to pick up the play. It’s Year three,” Peppers said Tuesday following day one of mandatory minicamp, via the Giants official website. “You definitely got to pick up the play to be at the level I know I need to play at, and this organization needs me to play at. Regardless of how I got here, I’m here, and I’m ready to play my best ball, work as hard as I can and help this organization win ball games on Sundays.”

Peppers will essentially be the successor to former Giants safety Landon Collins. He’ll be working with veteran defensive backs Antoine Bethea and Janoris Jenkins in what should be an interesting setup in the secondary.

Despite the age difference with Bethea (Peppers is 23-years-old, Bethea is 34-years-old), Peppers is ready to work with the veteran Pro Bowl safety.

“Me and [Bethea] are two interchangeable guys,” Peppers said. “We can definitely mix up the looks, hold disguises, things like that. It should definitely be fun.”

Peppers could also work in as a return specialist for the Giants. He averaged 7.3 yards per punt return during his time in Cleveland, with 22 yards per kick return.

Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.