Patriots agree to one-year deal worth up to $5 million with safety Jabrill Peppers

Peppers was selected by the Cleveland Browns with the 25th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. In 13 games a rookie, he recorded 58 tackles, three passes defended and one interception. He started all 16 contests for Cleveland in 2018 and posted 79 tackles, five tackles for loss, five passes defended, four quarterback hits and a career-high three fumble recoveries, while also making an impact on special teams with 25 punt returns for 219 yards and 19 kickoff returns for 408 yards, equaling a career-high 643 all-purpose yards.

The Browns traded the 26-year-old along with a 2019 first-round pick and 2019 third-round pick in exchange for Odell Beckham Jr. in March 2019. Peppers was limited to 11 games that season due to injury but still registered 76 tackles, five passes defended, three forced fumbles and his only career pick-six.

2020 was arguably Peppers' best year statistically, as he put up career-best numbers in tackles (91), tackles for loss (eight), passes defended (11) and sacks (2.5). He played in a career-low six contests last season after suffering a torn ACL in October.