2020 NFL Draft Stock Watch: A.J. Epenesa puts complete skill-set on display

This week’s 2020 NFL Draft spotlight features Iowa edge defender A.J. Epensesa and Notre Dame receiver Chase Claypool having their best game of the year.

It was another very good week of college football, filled with some upsets and some awesome comebacks. There were a lot of good performances from the top 2020 NFL Draft prospects, especially from the top-tier.

However, the college football and NFL Draft community have seen their emotional stock go down, as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a major hip injury late in the first half when Alabama was up 35-7. It’s likely he will enter the NFL Draft after this, but we may not see him on the field for a long time. Hopefully, he fully recovers and comes back even stronger.

As far as the stock watch goes this week, we mentioned top prospects having big games this week, and one of them finally broke through in a big way on Saturday. He leads the way this week, and others made some statements too. Let’s get into it.

Stock Up: A.J. Epenesa, Edge defender, Iowa

What a perfect time for A.J. Epenesa to have a standout performance. The undefeated Minnesota Golden Gophers came to Iowa looking to continue their winning ways, and they suffered a crushing loss that many ranked teams do when they go to Iowa in November. Most of that win goes to the Hawkeyes defense, who held Minnesota to just 19 points. Epenesa was the difference-maker on that defense.

He had 2.5 sacks on the afternoon, including a forced fumble. Epenesa created pressure all day for the Hawkeyes, making Minnesota quarterback Tanner Morgan uncomfortable all afternoon. His hand usage is so good and it was on display, showing he has multiple ways to get to the quarterback. Epenesa also moved around the line a lot, showing his versatility and ability to create pressure from the interior.

Stock Up: Shaun Wade, cornerback, Ohio State

Ball skills are always important when it comes to cornerback play at the next level, and Shaun Wade shows it every week for the Buckeyes. He’s been overshadowed a lot by Jeffrey Okudah, but Wade has had a great season in his own right.

It hasn’t shown up much on the stat sheet (six passes defensed, one interception), but he’s a great slot corner and could easily carve out that role at the next level. Wade has been slowly rising up boards as the season goes on, and he needs to be a household name going forward.

Stock Down: Brian Lewerke, quarterback, Michigan State

The last two years just haven’t been good for Michigan State quarterback Brian Lewerke. He flashed a ton of potential in his sophomore season, especially in the bowl game against Washington State. It just hasn’t been the same since.

Last season, Lewerke threw for just eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions while completing 54 percent of his passes. Looking beyond the stat sheet, he didn’t look as comfortable in the pocket and made some awful decisions resulting in turnovers.

He entered his senior season expecting a turnaround after it was revealed he had a shoulder injury most of 2018. It hasn’t gotten much better for Lewerke. He has nine interceptions so far this season, and his accuracy down the field just hasn’t improved. It’s tough to see him getting drafted until day three.

Stock Up: Chase Claypool, wide receiver, Notre Dame

What a game for Chase Claypool! The Notre Dame wideout was dominant in their win over Navy on Saturday. He caught just seven passes, but he made the most of them, scoring four(!!) touchdowns and racking up 117 yards receiving.

Clay pool has had his best season for the Irish in 2019, and with a couple more good games, he could pass the 1,000-yard mark. He has nine touchdowns on the season and is proving to be a threat in the red zone and from the slot. He will be fun to watch in Mobile in January.

Stock Up: Jonathan Greenard, Edge defender, Florida

Jonathan Greenard continues to make plays for the Florida defense in 2019. He had a standout game in their opener against Miami, and the Louisville transfer continues to look good here in November. Against Missouri, he finished with two sacks and five tackles for loss. Greenard has improved a lot as an edge defender, showing more juice out of his stance this season and much more power. Teams will get to see him in Mobile and they will come away impressed. Greenard could work his way firmly into round two discussion if he plays like this the rest of the way.

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