With the New York Giants facing uncertainty at the wide receiver position going into the 2019 regular season due to Golden Tate’s suspension and Sterling Shepard’s fracture thumb, might they turn to a defender for a little help?
During his time at Don Bosco Prep and Paramus Catholic, current Giants safety Jabrill Peppers rushed 373 times for 3,059 yards and 43 touchdowns and added 57 receptions for 842 yards and 17 touchdowns. And if the team were to ask, Peppers would happily fill in offensively.
“I think I could do whatever I put my mind to,” Peppers told NJ Advance Media. “I’d be open to it.”
Two-way players in the NFL are a genuine rarity. Occasionally, a wide receiver will be put in at safety on a Hail Mary or a defensive tackle used as an extra blocker or fullback on the goal line, but that’s about the extent of it.
But that’s not for lack of talent, Peppers says. In fact, he believes there are quite a few NFL stars who could excel on both offense and defense, but don’t because of the nature of today’s game.
“Guys might not have gotten chance, and guys might not want to because now it’s about making your career last as long as possible so you reap the fruits of your labor,” Peppers said.
“I definitely think there are guys that can do it. But will they do it? Will they want to do it? Will the team make them do it? Especially if they are key guys. It’s all up in the air. It depends on a lot — the type of system and type of franchise.”
Peppers is already slated to contribute for the Giants at safety and on special teams — likely as a return man — so would they really be willing to risk injury to one of their young stars? The chances are slim-to-none, but should Big Blue find themselves in a real pickle, Peppers is willingly waiting in the wings.
