The Buffalo Bills’ need for an edge rusher was evident coming into the draft. As of right now, our notable edge rushers include Trent Murphy (29), Jerry Hughes (32), and Mario Addison (33).
Trent Murphy is on the final year of his contract and has underperformed ever since joining the bills in the 2017 offseason. He is due $9,775,000 this upcoming season, and over the past two seasons with the bills has combined for 9.0 sacks, 60 combined tackles, and 14 tackles for a loss.
Jerry Hughes had a sharp decline in his play over the last season. Jerry combined for 4.5 sacks, 23 total tackles, and 6 tackles for a loss. Jerry is also potentially in the final year of his contract as well, as he has a potential out after the 2021 season, and I would not be surprised if we let Jerry walk. If we extend him, he would be due $9,450,000, but if we decide to let him walk, we will only incur a $2,100,000 hit in dead cap. Jerry has been a vital member of this bills defense ever since he arrived in 2013, but his time could be coming to an end.
Mario Addison is our best pass rusher right now, and at 33 years old is due $30,450,000 over the next three years. Over his last four seasons in Carolina, he has totaled 39 sacks, 140 tackles, and 38 tackles for loss. Addison will be an important part of this team throughout his contract, but he needs someone young and reliable to be paired up with on the opposite side. This is why the AJ Epenesa pick is perfect.
AJ Epenesa was a three year impact player at Iowa, which is in the defense-heavy conference of the Big Ten. Epenesa was named to the second team All-American his junior year and first team all Big Ten alongside Chase Young out of Ohio State (No. 2 overall to Redskins). Epenesa has ideal size at 6’5 275lbs. He was expected by many to be a first round pick and definitely has the talent to be one, but somehow fell right into our laps at 54. He was an absolute steal of a pick that Beane could not pass up on. Epenesa will be a very young 22 years old throughout his first season with the bills, and he will likely be an immediate difference maker. Although he won’t see likely more than 60% of the snaps next season because of McDermott’s D-line rotation, he will be an impact player when on the field.
Epenesa is a skilled rusher whose diversity of attack, skilled hands, and unique bull-rushing instincts will help him deliver his college sack production in the pros. His pro comparison is linked to Trey Flowers, who has been very solid in his years with New England and Detroit. His best trait is his hand power with his two-hand swipe and stab/power chop to get by the OL. Epenesa has varied pass rushing attacks, so he can catch the OL by surprise on every play with a different move each time. If he makes more improvements to his technique, which he can learn from veterans like Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison, he could be dangerous for years to come. He could also use some improvement on his explosiveness, but that can be easily taught and improved.
When asked about Epenesa, Beane said, “Obviously not every team is going to tell me where they have guys on their board. Like anything you get some follow up texts from people around the league, and I think people definitely had (Epenesa) much higher than he went...Certain people have parameters that if this guy, whatever position by position specifics, that they’re going to drop the value. If they don’t meet certain measurables or short shuttle, certain things. Again, call me crazy. I got play speed and production in watching the film. I rely more on that. I understand the measurables and don’t think I don’t talk about them, but at the end of the day, I go back to the tape.”
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