OMG... A.J. Epenesa. Sheeeit.

[Dante84]

Just getting around to watching video on some first round guys I haven't checked out yet.

How...how is this guy not a top-10 pick? He looks like *prime* JJ Watt in these highlights.

He's destroying Saquad...by destroying his quads...

He's batting passes. He's playing read-options perfectly. He's crushing dudes. He's got a nasty attitude.

Like, is there any chance he's available when we pick?

[Chief Northman]

He had a shitty Combine, so there’s that....

[Dante84]

Originally Posted by Chief Northman

He had a shitty Combine, so there’s that....

Just reading up. Sounds like he was slow/sluggish, but not disastrous. I'm not sure how an edge talent (on film) like that drops to the bottom of the 1st though.

[SAGA45]

Originally Posted by Chief Northman

He had a shitty Combine, so there’s that....

So did Jared Allen...

[staylor26]

Epenesa’s 40 wasn’t ideal, but his 10 was more on par with the other big edge rushers and his vertical and broad jump were solid.

I think the athleticism angle is overblown with him.

[BeMyValentine]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Epenesa makes 40 wasn’t ideal, but his 10 was more on par with the other big edge rushers and his vertical and broad jump were solid.

I think the athleticism angle is overblown with him.

This!!! Iowa players never put up good bench press numbers because they don't do that lift in college. His level of performance has been top 15 and I would be floored if he drops below 20. I think he has 10-15 pick talent. Seems like teams are spreading false negatives hoping he will fall to them.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Epenesa makes 40 wasn’t ideal, but his 10 was more on par with the other big edge rushers and his vertical and broad jump were solid.

I think the athleticism angle is overblown with him.

I think it's bend that gets him knocked a bit.

He can show a little stiff at times. Sort of a rich man's Eric Hicks in a way - Hicks could be damn productive at times but if you could force him out wide, he wasn't gonna bend the edge and dip a shoulder to cut around you.

I think Epenesa is better at EVERYTHING than Hicks, but ol' Hicks gets a bit of a bad rap as a pass rusher because how often that bootleg ate his ass alive. He was a quality player for most of his career.

Make that 2002 version of Hicks a premier run defender as well and you have something similar to what Epenesa will be. Take the average of that 5 year run from 99 through 2003, add another 25% to it and I think you get something really similar to Epenesa.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I think it's bend that gets him knocked a bit.

He can show a little stiff at times. Sort of a rich man's Eric Hicks in a way - Hicks could be damn productive at times but if you could force him out wide, he wasn't gonna bend the edge and dip a shoulder to cut around you.

I think Epenesa is better at EVERYTHING than Hicks, but ol' Hicks gets a bit of a bad rap as a pass rusher because how often that bootleg ate his ass alive. He was a quality player for most of his career.

Make that 2002 version of Hicks a premier run defender as well and you have something similar to what Epenesa will be. Take the average of that 5 year run from 99 through 2003, add another 25% to it and I think you get something really similar to Epenesa.

Oh I totally get the lack of bend thing. That’s why I thought he was overrated at the beginning of the process, but that’s also always been known. It seems as if it’s the combine/testing that’s pushed him even further down the board (if he really goes late 1st to early 2nd, if so that’s silly).

He’s easily a top 20-25 prospect in this class IMO.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by staylor26

Oh I totally get the lack of bend thing. That’s why I thought he was overrated at the beginning of the process, but that’s also always been known. It seems as if it’s the combine/testing that’s pushed him even further down the board (if he really goes late 1st to early 2nd, if so that’s silly).

He’s easily a top 20-25 prospect in this class IMO.

I'm inclined to agree.

But I think he'll slip a bit because he lacks versatility. I don't think 3-4 teams will be eager to put him out there as a 5-tech and he's not a stand up backer.

So as a 1st round prospect, he's strictly a 4-3 possibility. And so that takes a few teams off the board.

Then when he's a real possibility in the early late teens, early 20s, it will only take 2-3 guys who see someone they like just a little more to keep him falling.

It won't be because of a mediocre combine (I just don't think teams take those as seriously as we do), but it might be because he's just a little less dynamic and a little less versatile than what teams look for in pass-rushers in the 1st round.

But yeah, he's a great pick for KC if he gets to us.

[displacedinMN]

almost the total player

[Toad]

Spend a calling to 32 would put a smile on my face

[Toad]

Stupid spell check!

Epenesa falling to 32....

[Chief Northman]

Originally Posted by Toad

Stupid spell check!

Epenesa falling to 32....

I laughed...

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Toad

Stupid spell check!

Epenesa falling to 32....

I will piss on the grave of whoever invented spell check

[Dante84]

Seriously, though.... what are the odds he's there at 32.

0%? 10%? 50%?