The wait is finally over, Bills fans. With the 54th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected defensive end A.J. Epenesa, from Iowa.
The Bills have selected A.J. Epenesa with the 54th overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.
— Buffalo Bills PR (@BuffaloBillsPR) April 25, 2020
Epenesa (pronounced EPP-uh-NESS-uh) recorded 11.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles in 2019 to earn second-team All-America honors from the Associated Press. pic.twitter.com/i66Z9CiJHV
A three-year starter, the former Hawkeye piled up numbers in his successful college career, with 101 tackles, 26.5 sacks (11.5 in 2019), eight forced fumbles, and eight passes defended. He has the technique to be a productive NFL defensive end for a long time.
🎞️🔊 The ways in which rushers win is fascinating to watch. Guys who may not be as athletically gifted better have a plan and the tools in their toolbox to beat OL. For example, Epenesa wins differently than say a Darrell Taylor or Jonathan Greenard. pic.twitter.com/ZinVao23Xk
— Cover 1 (@Cover1) March 28, 2020
Epenesa was widely expected to be the second DE to come off the board by most specialists, but a less than ideal combine showing raised questions about his overall athleticism. He measured well, with good size (6’5″, 275 lbs) and long arms (34 1/2 inches), but his 5.04s 40-yard dash was concerning. His 117″ broad jump was good but the 32 1/2″ vertical, the 7.34s 3-cone and the 4.46s 20-yard shuttle times were average at best. To make things worse, he bench pressed 225 lbs just 17 times, an awful number to a player of his size.
DE AJ Epenesa (@ajepenesa24) wins the hand battle with a quick push pull and attacks the ball just like you practice it. pic.twitter.com/kR4IQDP8Bs
— Cover 1 (@Cover1) February 7, 2018
If Epenesa’s athletic profile doesn’t scream elite pass rusher prospect, his numbers and his tape says otherwise. He’s a true football player, who can line up all around the DL and wreak havoc with his arsenal of moves. Epenesa is a technician and should be able to overcome his athletic limitations to become a productive player for a long time in the Bills’ rotation.
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