With The First Pick
Fansided

5 best team/prospect fits of 2020 NFL Draft; Chiefs, 49ers lead the way

By Nicholas McGee

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #22 of the LSU Tigers runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Clyde Edwards-Helaire #22 of the LSU Tigers runs with the ball during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Clemson Tigers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 27: Austin Jackson #73 of the USC Trojans blocks A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 27, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 27: Austin Jackson #73 of the USC Trojans blocks A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second half of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 27, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

A.J. Epenesa – Buffalo Bills

The Bills recognized they cannot continue to rely on veteran Jerry Hughes to carry the edge-rushing burden and ended Epenesa’s slide by picking him 54th overall.

A disappointing performance at the Combine may have contributed to Epenesa dropping down the board, but he’s technically sound and has production that is tough to argue with.

Indeed, after racking up 16.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2018, Epenesa had 14 TFL and 11.5 sacks last season.

With Hughes as a teammate, Epenesa will have an experienced mind to lean on as he adapts to the pros, but what is enticing about his addition to the Bills front is the possible combination with interior defensive linemen Ed Oliver.

Oliver came on strong down the stretch of his rookie year for the Bills after being selected ninth overall last year. He has experience playing across the defensive line while Epenesa has the versatility to move inside and rush up the middle.

Next. Grading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 NFL Draft class. dark

The Bills now have the option of rotating those two chess pieces frequently and deploying both on the interior. Picking Epenesa gives Buffalo’s pass rush more potency and offers more flexibility to a defense that was already one of the better units in the NFL.

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