1 00:00:01,520 --> 00:00:04,840 Speaker 1: With the fifty fourth pick in the twenty twenty NFL Draft, 2 00:00:05,280 --> 00:00:14,000 Speaker 1: the Buffalo Bills flect aj Epanessa defensive end hirewom SoJ A. 3 00:00:14,240 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 1: J Epessa goes to the Buffalo Bills. Iowa defensive end 4 00:00:17,760 --> 00:00:21,319 Speaker 1: second team All American, Associated Press All American played for 5 00:00:21,360 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 1: the Iowa Hawkeyes, two year starter, native of Illinois. Um, Yeah, 6 00:00:27,640 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: that's good. Right, Look, it falls right into what the 7 00:00:30,080 --> 00:00:32,080 Speaker 1: Bills need, that's for sure. Yeah, you think about it. 8 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:34,599 Speaker 1: We talked about getting younger. Now the Bills have got 9 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:38,960 Speaker 1: a j Epenessa and they have Bam Johnson two, Bam 10 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:42,599 Speaker 1: Johnson coming into his second year. Ajpanessa coming in as 11 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:45,040 Speaker 1: a rookie. Two young defensive ends that the Bills are 12 00:00:45,040 --> 00:00:46,760 Speaker 1: going to try and develop and get into the regular 13 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:49,600 Speaker 1: rotation on their defensive line, learning from the likes of 14 00:00:49,680 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: Jerry Husing, Trent Murphy and the rest. They're set. I mean, 15 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 1: that's that's a good group. That is a really good 16 00:00:57,400 --> 00:01:04,120 Speaker 1: group with Mario Addison, Vernon Butler. Uh, and yeah, that's yeah. 17 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 1: I think they're they're good to go in the front seven. 18 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:09,040 Speaker 1: Maybe they'll get a linebacker later in this draft. They've 19 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:12,559 Speaker 1: got uh, they've still got all the guys they've they've 20 00:01:12,560 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 1: signed with. Uh, They've got what's the guy from Matta Kevitch, 21 00:01:17,920 --> 00:01:21,759 Speaker 1: They've got aj Klein, Uh, they've got Milano, They've got 22 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:25,600 Speaker 1: Tremaine Edmonds. UH. And the draft picks last year. That's 23 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:30,640 Speaker 1: h Yeah, they're they're taking shape. J Epenessa fits perfectly 24 00:01:30,800 --> 00:01:34,200 Speaker 1: in what they're doing. Reading some of the draft reviews 25 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:38,960 Speaker 1: of aj Epanessa and UH we talked about our lads 26 00:01:39,000 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: had him in a certain way, and uh, Lindy Sports 27 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:44,800 Speaker 1: Pro Football Draft rated him as a first round prospect, 28 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: as did our lads. By the way, Epessa a pro comparison, 29 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 1: they say, is Cameron Jordan, the New Orleans Saints. Jordan, 30 00:01:51,000 --> 00:01:52,640 Speaker 1: coming out of cal A couple of years ago, a 31 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 1: very good defensive end, lacked elite traits. I guess Eponessa 32 00:01:56,400 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: is not viewed as elite, but he's been a pretty 33 00:01:58,960 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 1: good pro. Cameron Jordan is, and I think the Bills 34 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:03,720 Speaker 1: are hoping for much of the same from aj Epenesza. 35 00:02:04,440 --> 00:02:07,120 Speaker 1: Weaknesses for aj Epenenza and the Bills, But let's get 36 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 1: the strengths first. Outstanding size, tall, long, thickly built. He 37 00:02:11,320 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 1: has quality speed in fluidity enough to freshen the threat 38 00:02:14,880 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 1: in the corner of offensive tackles, strengthens the core of 39 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:19,480 Speaker 1: his game, they say, And he's a good athlete. Plays 40 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: a number of different positions on or a number of 41 00:02:23,480 --> 00:02:27,679 Speaker 1: different ways for the defensive line for the Iowa Hawkeyes. 42 00:02:27,720 --> 00:02:30,639 Speaker 1: His technacal skills are advanced, shows a variety of hand 43 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 1: swipes encounters, knows how to discard blocks weaknesses. Epenez a speed, 44 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 1: athleticism and bend is not elite, which lowers his ceiling somewhat. 45 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:42,880 Speaker 1: This is according to Lindy's Lindy's Draft Guide. They say, 46 00:02:43,040 --> 00:02:46,680 Speaker 1: run defense. He's probably the best defensive end in this draft. 47 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:49,760 Speaker 1: Aj Epenesza a full service defensive end, they call him. 48 00:02:49,760 --> 00:02:52,799 Speaker 1: He takes his responsibility in the running game seriously, so 49 00:02:52,840 --> 00:02:56,079 Speaker 1: that's good. He's not a one trick pony, that's for sure. Steve. Yeah. 50 00:02:56,120 --> 00:02:58,320 Speaker 1: The only thing that's different about him, obviously, is the 51 00:02:58,320 --> 00:03:01,280 Speaker 1: fact he doesn't run fast. You know. That's that's what's 52 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:03,959 Speaker 1: set that's what sets a guy apart. He's six five, 53 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:06,800 Speaker 1: two seventy five. He's not a speed rusher, but he 54 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:09,280 Speaker 1: does have technique, he does learn fast, and he's got 55 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,359 Speaker 1: a high motor. He'll fit into the culture in one 56 00:03:13,440 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 1: Bills drive, you can bet so a lot of things 57 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:19,240 Speaker 1: looking good for him and for the Bills that's as 58 00:03:19,240 --> 00:03:22,639 Speaker 1: a big body dude that will give them some give 59 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:26,600 Speaker 1: them some short yardage help. Yeah. I like it. I 60 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:29,000 Speaker 1: like it a lot. And Epineza is a guy who 61 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:30,840 Speaker 1: I gotta tell you, Murf, You and I neither one 62 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: thought he was gonna be there at fifty four. So 63 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 1: we knew nine or seven or nine picks ago, half 64 00:03:36,080 --> 00:03:37,960 Speaker 1: a dozen picks ago that there was gonna be somebody 65 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: of quality there, and sure enough Epineza was. I thought 66 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:45,120 Speaker 1: it might not happen. But if it can't be a corner, 67 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,680 Speaker 1: it's okay that it's a defensive end. Yeah. Well, let's 68 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:50,880 Speaker 1: face it, they have a bigger need on the defensive line, 69 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:53,760 Speaker 1: edge rush, defensive end than they do a corner. Steve, 70 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,080 Speaker 1: wouldn't you agree? Yeah? I think so. I think so. 71 00:03:57,160 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 1: I think they've got enough guys with We've got a 72 00:03:59,120 --> 00:04:02,280 Speaker 1: lot of experience corner. But if if you're treating uh, 73 00:04:02,320 --> 00:04:04,200 Speaker 1: and we had a lot of guy callers on our 74 00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:06,840 Speaker 1: show today, Murf that we're really concerned about the age 75 00:04:06,840 --> 00:04:10,640 Speaker 1: of Jerry Hughes and the age of Trent Murphy, h 76 00:04:10,920 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 1: got a couple of thirty year olds up front. Uh 77 00:04:13,800 --> 00:04:16,719 Speaker 1: if if you're concerned about that, you kind of also 78 00:04:16,760 --> 00:04:18,599 Speaker 1: have to be concerned about the age of year corner 79 00:04:19,320 --> 00:04:25,600 Speaker 1: cornerback room with Josh Norman and and uh ejs, how 80 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:29,320 Speaker 1: about how about Levi Wallace and Trenavius. Wait they're not old, right, 81 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:31,480 Speaker 1: But that's there's two guys. You gotta have three again. 82 00:04:31,600 --> 00:04:35,160 Speaker 1: Terren Johnson's a young guy too, But that second corner 83 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:38,920 Speaker 1: on the outside is two guys that are long in 84 00:04:38,960 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 1: the tooth um and I wouldn't be surprised if they 85 00:04:42,160 --> 00:04:44,560 Speaker 1: still get a young guy to come in and compete. 86 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:46,960 Speaker 1: You don't think Levi Wallace is anymore of the second 87 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,080 Speaker 1: corner because I kind of think he's got the job 88 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: until further notice, until Josh Norman beats him out. I'm 89 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,920 Speaker 1: not I'm not putting much faith in Josh Norman being 90 00:04:54,960 --> 00:04:58,360 Speaker 1: a great player. He hasn't had a good couple of years. Steve, 91 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:00,000 Speaker 1: I don't know if I would count on him. I wouldn't. 92 00:05:00,279 --> 00:05:03,640 Speaker 1: Hey it almost you know, almost though. I Mean you 93 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:07,159 Speaker 1: might be right, Murph, but I'm a big believer that 94 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:09,560 Speaker 1: And Greg co sell says it to you and me 95 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:13,479 Speaker 1: all the time. Most guys are scheme fits, their system 96 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:17,120 Speaker 1: system athletes. And if Josh Norman was playing out in 97 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:19,240 Speaker 1: the wrong system and being asked to play a corner 98 00:05:19,560 --> 00:05:22,400 Speaker 1: position that he's not really and never was very good 99 00:05:22,400 --> 00:05:26,880 Speaker 1: at because of a change in philosophy, that could account 100 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:30,200 Speaker 1: for a lot of the dropping production for him. Don't forget. 101 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:32,520 Speaker 1: This is the defense he's about to play in for 102 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:36,280 Speaker 1: the Buffalo Bills. Is the exact defense that made him 103 00:05:36,279 --> 00:05:39,680 Speaker 1: one of the top corners available ever and in the 104 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 1: last five years. So we'll see if he can get 105 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: some of that back when he gets into the scheme 106 00:05:45,360 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 1: that fits him. But you're right, he may be finished. 107 00:05:48,920 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 1: You know, maybe Levi Wallace or nobody does and see 108 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:54,680 Speaker 1: he's finished. By the way, I just think you dismissed 109 00:05:54,920 --> 00:05:58,080 Speaker 1: Levi Wallace out of hand. I think Levi Wallace returns 110 00:05:58,080 --> 00:06:01,200 Speaker 1: as a starter and as the starter until he's beaten out. 111 00:06:01,200 --> 00:06:03,880 Speaker 1: But let's not talk about corners. Let's talk about defensive ends. 112 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,040 Speaker 1: Aj epinessa defensive end from Iowa is the Bills pick 113 00:06:07,120 --> 00:06:10,320 Speaker 1: comes in the fifty fourth spot, the twenty second pick 114 00:06:10,360 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 1: in the second round. We wait to pick now from 115 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:16,360 Speaker 1: the Baltimore Ravens, who pick twenty third in this round, 116 00:06:16,680 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 1: and then the Bills will pick again at eighty six. 117 00:06:18,960 --> 00:06:21,280 Speaker 1: So it's they did address a need, Steve, and they 118 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:23,119 Speaker 1: got it with the guy with the first round grade 119 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 1: for most folks, aj EPINESSA and a guy that is 120 00:06:25,760 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 1: going to be interesting to watch, I think, to see 121 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:30,480 Speaker 1: how he fits in with this Bills team. Yeah, it's 122 00:06:30,520 --> 00:06:34,480 Speaker 1: a he's gonna you can bet he's gonna be a contributor. 123 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:38,599 Speaker 1: There's no question. Um he's he's got too good a 124 00:06:38,640 --> 00:06:41,400 Speaker 1: pedigree not to not to fit into the rotation somewhere. 125 00:06:41,960 --> 00:06:45,360 Speaker 1: Um and uh, he'll he'll be learning from a guy 126 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:47,920 Speaker 1: like Jerry Hughes who's at different time. I think it's 127 00:06:47,920 --> 00:06:50,040 Speaker 1: people say, well, he's completely there. He is. He's a 128 00:06:50,160 --> 00:06:53,960 Speaker 1: very different down lineman than a guy like Jerry Hughes. 129 00:06:54,080 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 1: And I think, strange as that sounds, I think it's 130 00:06:57,200 --> 00:07:00,560 Speaker 1: a good thing. You want to learn some skills that 131 00:07:00,600 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 1: you don't have from a guy who really does have them.