The San Francisco 49ers haven't made many big moves this offseason. However, they have a new trade idea to add a New England Patriots defensive back. Jabrill Peppers has almost nine years of experience in the NFL, which San Francisco could benefit from.
Bleacher Report writer Maurice Moton believes Peppers is a good fit as a versatile defensive back option. With experience in every position in the secondary, the former Michigan Wolverine could play almost anywhere, either as a backup or a starter.
“San Francisco can explore the trade market for a playmaking defensive back, though,” Moton wrote on April 1. “It needs a third safety with Talanoa Hufanga recovering from a torn ACL and Ji’Ayir Brown going into his second season. For veteran insurance, the 49ers could acquire Jabrill Peppers, an athletic defensive back who’s played both safety spots and slot cornerback in seven campaigns.”
The reasoning is strong. Hufanga showed great potential in 2022, but his ACL injury has made his future uncertain. Brown also seems promising, but San Francisco benched him at one point. Logan Ryan.
San Francisco is trying to take full advantage of their “Super Bowl window,” and offering that kind of depth quality is how teams distinguish themselves from the competition.
Peppers Takes Talents to Patriots
As a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, Peppers started with the Cleveland Browns and became a starter right away. However, he faced challenges in his first two seasons and was eventually used as a trade piece in the Cleveland Browns’ move for WR Odell Beckham Jr.
The The New York Giants acquired Peppers in that deal, but he was still waiting to break out. Although he forced three fumbles in 11 games, his season was cut short in 2019 due to a tranverse process fracture. There was much reason to be hopeful, but it wasn't until 2020 that Peppers truly fulfilled his potential as a first-round pick.
According to Pro Football Reference, Peppers had 11 passes defended, 2.5 sacks, and 8 tackles for loss in 2020. He also got an interception and forced a fumble, making it his best NFL season so far.
However, a torn ACL early in the following season ended his year after 6 games. Peppers became a free agent and joined the Patriots for the 2022 season, slowly earning a starting role.
This set up another comeback in 2023. Peppers got two interceptions, swatted 8 passes, and added a sack and a forced fumble.
49ers Update on Hufanga
Regarding Hufanga and the 49ers’ secondary, San Francisco recently updated Hufanga’s injury recovery. It sounds like the former USC Trojan will be back before the end of training camp, according to The Athletic reporter David Lombardi.
“‘The 49ers anticipate Talanoa Hufanga will return from his ACL injury ‘sometime in training camp’, according to Kyle Shanahan, who also seemed positive about Hufanga’s ability to return to 100% of his old self,” Lombardi wrote on X on March 26. “SF would still like to add a safety, but they told recent visitor Julian Blackmon that a new addition wouldn’t necessarily be guaranteed a starting spot — general depth is Priority No. 1 with Hufanga coming off injury.”
Now that Blackmon has arrived and left without a contract, that creates an opportunity for a trade similar to the Peppers deal suggested by Moton.
