In the race for EDGE2, Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa has a less than ideal combine and could see his 2020 NFL Draft stock take a tumble
Preseason, Iowa edge rusher A.J. Epenesa was considered by some as the best pass rusher in the 2020 NFL Draft class. While his 2019 campaign started slow, he managed to rebound on the back half of the season for the Hawkeyes, and still entering the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine as a top-three edge rusher by many, up there with Chase Young and K’Lavon Chaisson.
After his combine this weekend in Indianapolis, Epenesa could see his draft stock shoot rapidly downhill, potentially into the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. While strength, not speed, is the name of the game for Epenesa, NFL teams want to see that a player they could potentially be using a top tier draft asset on is a well-rounded athlete, and this was a feat that the Iowa pass rusher failed to conquer.
While he displays long arms, 17 bench press reps was not a great way for a player known for his play strength to start his combine, and it only went downhill from there for Epenesa. Landing in the second percentile in the 40 yard dash among edge rushers is just flat out slow, even for a guy who wins with strength.
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It is inconceivable for a guy at such a valuable position such as EDGE to be taken with a first round pick with a time of 5.04 seconds in the 40 yard dash, and as for his agility, it was not much better. In his three cone drill, Epenesa managed a measly 7.34 seconds and just 4.46 in his short shuttle.
While his explosive tests were a little bit better, it was not by much. Epenesa managed to hit just 32.5 inches in his vertical jump, while landing with a 9-9 broad jump. Across the board, the man with first round talent on film saw his draft stock collapsing right before his eyes.
It will be interesting to see how NFL scouts and general managers value his tape vs. his testing numbers, and if someone will still be willing to take A.J. Epenesa in the first round. For now, the Iowa big man’s draft stock is trending in the wrong direction.