Several mock drafts have the Falcons selecting versatile Michigan player Jabrill Peppers in the upcoming NFL draft, which is set for Thursday through Saturday in Philadelphia.
He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds, which is faster than Seattle All-Pro free safety Earl Thomas.
“From our perspective, we talked a lot about him,” Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said on Thursday. “Obviously, he’s a winner. Plain and simple, he’s a smart football player. He’s a tough and competitive guy who’s versatile. I think he’ll do well in this league.”
Peppers played linebacker for the Wolverines, some quarterback, running back and returned punts and kickoffs.
“One of the rare guys that you have to put on all three sides of tape to watch him carry the ball, but we see him as a safety for our team and how we play,” Falcons head coach Dan Quinn said.
Quinn believes Peppers has the flexibility to play strong safety and free safety.
“He’s got the size to be a strong, but I think the speed to play free,” Quinn said. “We didn’t nail him into one spot.”
