2017 NFL Mock Draft: Los Angeles Chargers Select S Jabrill Peppers at No. 7

With the 7th pick in the 2017 DBN Community NFL Mock Draft, the Los Angeles Chargers select...

Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan

The selection and write-up were made by unoservix:

The Chargers' last year in San Diego was one to forget, and as they mosey 90 miles up the 5 to their new home in more-or-less Los Angeles, they bring with them a revamped coaching staff, a proven franchise quarterback, and a budding star on defense in Joey Bosa. The annual plague of injury and despair that usually seems to afflict the Chargers carried off much of their roster to injured reserve, but there are proven contributors and promising players for new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to work with. And with the Chargers' biggest need being on the o-line in a draft lacking quality o-linemen, it's time to give Gus some more toys.

The Chargers let Eric Weddle waddle off to the Baltimore Ravens last season, and free agent replacement Dwight Lowery turned 31 this January, so it's time to seek out the next great Chargers free safety in Jabrill Peppers. Like the 49ers, the Chargers hired a Seahawks alumnus whose defense will need a high-quality center-fielder; unlike the 49ers, the Chargers have already seen the top two safeties go elsewhere. But Peppers is no mere consolation prize, with proven production at LB and S, and the athleticism and physicality to become a consistent playmaker. His versatility was a strength in college but it need not be a liability in the NFL, since the Chargers appear to have the rest of their secondary sorted out already, so Peppers can presumably slide right into free safety and let him lock into the nuances of one position. He also brings dynamic return skills, which would be a welcome addition to a team that didn't return a kick further than 30 yards in 2016. Peppers' transition to the NFL should be eased by quality corners on either side in Jason Verrett and Casey Hayward, and Bosa wreaking havoc up front. The Chargers' time with a proven franchise QB is running short as Father Time chases down Philip Rivers, but Peppers should be a strong contributor for years to come.

Pokorny: I love it when things get shaken up earlier in our mock draft, and this pick will send a few shockwaves. However, I can’t find myself criticizing it too much. SB Nation’s Dan Kadar just released a mock draft that also had Peppers going to the Chargers...but at No. 38 overall. His value is really all over the place, so if the Chargers believe in him that strongly, make the pick that fits your team a year after already getting a premier defender in Bosa.

The Carolina Panthers are up next, led by MConley17.