Instant Reaction: Buffalo Bills Select Defensive End A.J. Epenesa at No. 54

After sitting through night one with no first round pick, the Buffalo Bills waited patiently at number 54 pick and selected Iowa defensive end, A.J. Epenesa. Brandon Beane decides to go with defense with the Bills’ first pick in the second round. The fact that Epenesa fell into the Bills’ lap, it was hard to pass up on him but the Bills add to their trenches.

Who is Epenesa?

A productive pass rusher who could see the field for the Bills as a starter in the near future. Coming from Iowa, Epenesa was a sack machine his last two seasons for the Hawkeyes. Listed at 6’5″ 275 pounds, he is a big time edge rusher who will fall into a defensive scheme led by Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier.

How Does He Fit?

The Bills’ strongest unit is the defense by a mile and they just got stronger. He should see the field as a rotational player at first with Jerry Hughes and Trent Murphy, but do not be surprised if he is a starter by next year or even earlier. McDermott made a comment about the culture of Iowa and their great productivity and character and Epenesa fits that exact profile.

Let’s not forget, Hughes and Murphy are on the back end of their contracts with the Bills. It looks like the Bills are preparing for the future of their defensive end position and Epenesa is their guy.

Overall Thoughts

Drafting a big man in is not the flashiest pick, but it makes a difference once the pads come on. I was very surprised to see Epenesa fall this late into the second round. A player who was almost certain to be picked late in the first or early in the second, it was weird to see him fall. The Bills decided to continue to get stronger with their strongest unit and no fan should complain about this pick. He was once projected to head to the Bills at number 22 early in the draft process, and the team snagged him at 54 overall.