Jabrill Peppers, Browns Agree to Rookie Contract

The Cleveland Browns announced they have agreed to terms with rookie safety Jabrill Peppers on a rookie contract Sunday.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported the news.

As the No. 25 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Peppers is estimated to make a little over $10.3 million over four years and will count for nearly $1.9 million against the salary cap in his first season, per Spotrac.

Peppers, 21, brought a ton of versatility to Michigan during his time at the school. As Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press wrote, Peppers played 15 positions and 933 snaps in total for the Wolverines in 2016 alone.

He finished last season with 72 tackles, four sacks, an interception, a forced fumble, 167 rushing yards and four total touchdowns.

As for his future role in Cleveland, well, that remains fluid.

"Line him up in a lot of different places and give him that opportunity," Browns coach Hue Jackson said of Peppers, per Snyder. "He is a football player, a very dynamic player. Obviously, he's going to play defense for us, but we'll find a role for him over there on offense. No question."

Jackson continued:

"No question but we're going to start him over there on defense for sure. Again, when you have guys that have ability to make plays, you do anything and everything you can to put them in an environment so they can showcase their talent and ability (including offense). We will do that, but first we are bringing him in here to play defense and play special teams. He is one of the premier special teams players in football."

Peppers is the front-runner to be the team's starting strong safety next season in coordinator Gregg Williams' aggressive defensive scheme. He can likely play some linebacker for the team in nickel or dime packages as well if needed, while providing a threat as a kick returner and even on offense, perhaps as a running back.

He'll also be expected to help turn Cleveland's defense around alongside top overall pick and defensive end Myles Garrett and third-round pick and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi.

Given Cleveland's array of needs on both sides of the ball, Peppers should find himself being utilized in a number of roles just like his Michigan days. He has the opportunity to establish himself as a major difference-maker for the rebuilding Browns immediately.