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Why No Talk About AJ Epenesa
- Thread starter TwoDeep3
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NolanRyan77
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Combine performance honestly. Before the combine he was still looked at and mocked anywhere from 16-23 and now in a lot of mocks he isn’t in the first.
More of a low ceiling higher floor player. If he is there with say a Chaisson, more teams are going to choose the higher floor player in the first.
He has a good first step, good hand fighting and very good strength. He’s just not the explosive, bendy type that most teams cover early.
Cowboyny
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I believe might be a better scheme fit with us now. In my opinion, he looks like more of a 3-4 DE, but could be a solid base run stuffing DE and kick inside in the nickel. After his poor workout, I believe 17 is too rich, more of a late 1st rd pick. Could be a trade down type of option. Two players after rd 1 on our watch list is Davidson/Weaver as the team has shown interest with them at the combine, believe Weaver was expected to be a 30 visit before they cancelled.
darthseinfeld
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He looks like a 2nd rounder. He had to grade well enough athletically to project as an RDE. He didnt, and he doesn't have the natural bend to make up for it. He is more of a LDE or 5T. Its not a strong DE class, but there are enough to keep him out of the first.
Saying that, I would sprint to the podium with his name on a card at 51. If the team is looking to go with more multiple fronts, he is the type of guy you want on the roster. He can run downs on the right side, can kick inside on passing downs. In any 3 man front, he can should able to play both the run and pass on both sides of the line. 5T might be his true NFL position
cnuball21
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You think he could turn into a good 3T for us? I don’t know what to think about him transitioning.
JIMMYBUFFETT
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I'm a fan. I like the big versatile DEs like Epenesa who could possibly play a base 3-4 DE, 4-3 SDE, or even the 3T in a 4-3. James Lynch / Baylor is similar player that might be had a little later. Epenesa strikes me as a Patriots type of lineman and that's a compliment.
Future
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Honestly...idk lol. I have a hard time with him.
I think he could very much be an improved version of Crawford - edge in base and 3t in a passrush - but I don't know how well what works for him in college translates to the NFL, because he's just so physically imposing.
DasTex
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Agreed - he'll be very productive in the NFL. Won't put up spectacular sack numbers - but should be a very solid player for years in the NFL. Think along the lines of a Trey Flowers type - 6-7 sacks a year. I'd be pretty happy if we traded back and drafted him.
Mr_437
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AJ is a player I really like, he just knows how to play. I wouldn't be bother if he was the pick at 17 cause I value his skillset. Power, motor and hand usage...not much coaching up here, so he can hit the ground and compete on the NFL level.
cnuball21
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He's got a great hands, so I think he can win on the edge at the next level just don't think he can stay there. I mean you see him straight up bully OTs.
I just don't know if I can pull the trigger with our 2nd round pick, def our 3rd.
cowboyschmps3
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crawford 2.0 no
SportsGuru80
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He's a LDE in the NFL or a 3 tech. Not enough athleticism to play on the right side.
morasp
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His draft grade is the top of round 2. It sounds like there's work to be done. If he fell to 51 or if we trade back and add picks he would be hard to ignore.
Overview
The size and production should force all evaluators to dial their focus in on what he's best at rather than any perceived areas of concern. He has average instincts against the run and is a step slow to shed, but he's strong at the point and he does his job. Epenesa won't just out-run tackles to the edge, but he's a skilled rusher whose diversity of attack, skilled hands and unique bull-rushing instincts could help him deliver his college sack production in the pros. He can play end in a 4-3 or 3-4 and could leap from good to great with additional work on technique and explosiveness.
Strengths
Overview
The size and production should force all evaluators to dial their focus in on what he's best at rather than any perceived areas of concern. He has average instincts against the run and is a step slow to shed, but he's strong at the point and he does his job. Epenesa won't just out-run tackles to the edge, but he's a skilled rusher whose diversity of attack, skilled hands and unique bull-rushing instincts could help him deliver his college sack production in the pros. He can play end in a 4-3 or 3-4 and could leap from good to great with additional work on technique and explosiveness.
Strengths
- Excellent size with desired combo of length and power
- Impressive production in high-impact stat columns
- Has tools of the trade to set a strong edge
- Hips unlock for long, lateral slides down the line
- Spills B-gap runs wide
- Surprising first-step explosion for his length/mass
- Rush attack is already varied and toolsy
- Runs under his inside hand to lift and dump over-setting tackles
- Can flip around edge or hit second-step slide to win inside
- Uses two-hand swipe and stab/power chop to grease the edge
- Times-up arm swipes with pass attempt to create strip-sacks