By: Andrew Parker
Are you trying to think of a guy who was a complete steal in this draft? If so, look no further than the 54th overall pick.
Iowa Hawkeyes defensive end A.J. Epenesa heard his name called during the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Some draft analysts had Epenesa going as early as pick 11, but with a less than stellar combine, Epenesa started to slip down some draft boards.
The former Edwardsville, IL product was a five-star recruit out of high school, where he chose Iowa over Alabama and just about every other school in the country. Epenesa racked up 26.5 sacks during his three-year career at Iowa, along with nine forced fumbles.
Epenesa will be a perfect fit in Sean McDermott’s system that ended up finishing in the top-10 among all defenses last season. For a guy who was once slated as an early first round pick and once labeled the second best DE behind Chase Young, the Buffalo Bills got a steal at pick 54.
Can you guess A.J.’s first sack he had at Iowa?
You guessed it – it was Wyoming QB Josh Allen, who is now of course starting under center for Buffalo.
Cover photo via: Iowa Athletics
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