When the New York Giants made the trade heard around the world back in March, sending wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns, many questioned if Big Blue got enough in return.
In the deal, the Giants acquired former first-round pick Jabrill Peppers as well as two picks in the 2019 NFL Draft that turned into Dexter Lawrence (1st) and Oshane Ximines (3rd).
Peppers, a New Jersey native, will come in to start immediately and fill a void left by the departure of Landon Collins, who signed a six-year, $84 million deal with the division rival Washington Redskins.
Despite the fact that many believed any offer for the Giants star receiver would command multiple first-round picks, the Browns’ proposal was one Dave Gettleman “could not refuse.”
Now with training camp in full swing, Peppers has big shoes to fill and he will be playing with a chip on his shoulder.
On Monday, Beckham said he felt disrespected by the Giants when he got traded. But Beckham wasn’t the only one who felt a certain way about the trade. Peppers made it clear that he feels he was overlooked in the trade.
“At the end of the day man, I don’t need that to put that chip on my shoulder. That chip’s already on my shoulder. Now, it definitely adds fuel to the fire but the fire’s already been lit,” Pepper told reporters.
Peppers aims to remind the football world that not only was he part of the trade, but he was an important piece who will go on to play a significant role for the Giants.
