A.J. Epenesa DE Iowa

Andra · 2020-03-22T19:41:34-07:00

Dude was a top 10 prospect until he had a very unremarkable combine. 5.04 40, 17 reps on the bench but he had a very good college carrier 22 sacks 30 TFL's. Wonder how far he falls. If they trade back from 31 he might be a nice day 2 pick up.

Mar 22, 2020 at 7:43 PM

jimrat
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Plays like his 40 time, looks very slow.

Mar 22, 2020 at 7:44 PM

Andra
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Originally posted by jimrat:
Plays like his 40 time, looks very slow.

Somehow he gets home though

Mar 22, 2020 at 7:54 PM

Andra
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A few pre and post combine articles

http://www.tankathon.com/nfl/players/a-j-epenesa

https://draftwire.usatoday.com/2019/12/27/2020-nfl-draft-prospect-scouting-report-a-j-epenesa-iowa/

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2878147-nfl-scouting-combine-notebook-did-aj-epenesa-crater-his-draft-stock

Mar 23, 2020 at 6:57 AM

saniner
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If this guy somehow fell to 31 they would be all over it. 13 is too high, but at 31 he would be an absolute steal

Mar 23, 2020 at 7:14 AM

OnTheClock
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Epenesa honestly reminds me of Bosa with how quick he wins off the line. More athletic tackles seem like they could be a challenge for him though. Bosa has a ridiculous get-off and 10-yard split. Epenesa kind of seems like what Bosa would be if Bosa was super slow and lacked awe-inspiring power. Basically, the technique with the opposite of "wow" athletic traits.

Mar 23, 2020 at 8:30 AM

NYniner85
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Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Epenesa honestly reminds me of Bosa with how quick he wins off the line. More athletic tackles seem like they could be a challenge for him though. Bosa has a ridiculous get-off and 10-yard split. Epenesa kind of seems like what Bosa would be if Bosa was super slow and lacked awe-inspiring power. Basically, the technique with the opposite of "wow" athletic traits.

Which makes his upside pretty low.

Mar 23, 2020 at 12:59 PM

OnTheClock
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Originally posted by NYniner85:
Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Epenesa honestly reminds me of Bosa with how quick he wins off the line. More athletic tackles seem like they could be a challenge for him though. Bosa has a ridiculous get-off and 10-yard split. Epenesa kind of seems like what Bosa would be if Bosa was super slow and lacked awe-inspiring power. Basically, the technique with the opposite of "wow" athletic traits.

Which makes his upside pretty low.

Basically, your best bet is to get him in the weight room and get him jacked. If he can't get any slower, he better get stronger. He does that, he can be an effective starter.

Right now, I guess you could even say he's like AA without the power. Epenesa struggles with properly containing on rushes too because he's not fast enough to prevent mobile guys running outside if he overpursues, so his positioning needs work there.

Apr 6, 2020 at 2:13 PM

gored49
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Have any draft gurus (or Iowa fans) watched any clips of him playing inside or find any? I can't seem to find any and seems like he strictly lines up against the tackle. I just wonder if he could be used as a DeFo replacement. Measurables are pretty similar:
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/a.j.-epenesa?id=32194550-4541-5291-9369-b9d0c170a565

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2011/profiles/deforest-buckner?id=2555275

Apr 6, 2020 at 2:58 PM

LifelongNiner
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Originally posted by OnTheClock:

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by OnTheClock:
Epenesa honestly reminds me of Bosa with how quick he wins off the line. More athletic tackles seem like they could be a challenge for him though. Bosa has a ridiculous get-off and 10-yard split. Epenesa kind of seems like what Bosa would be if Bosa was super slow and lacked awe-inspiring power. Basically, the technique with the opposite of "wow" athletic traits.

Which makes his upside pretty low.

Basically, your best bet is to get him in the weight room and get him jacked. If he can't get any slower, he better get stronger. He does that, he can be an effective starter.

Right now, I guess you could even say he's like AA without the power. Epenesa struggles with properly containing on rushes too because he's not fast enough to prevent mobile guys running outside if he overpursues, so his positioning needs work there.

That automatically knocks someone out of the first IMO, although this is a wise move to get him stronger. To me, a player that can't be a starter in year 1 because of their own abilities (or lack thereof) is not a first round pick. Someone to keep our eye on if we move back however.

Apr 7, 2020 at 9:00 AM

#10

gored49
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I'm thinking 2nd round looks like a better target for him. Doesn't seem like he would fit with a lot of teams.