Fansided

10 best players available after Round 1 of the NFL Draft

By Logan Jakubajtys

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 23: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball during a game between Texas A&M and the Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 23: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball during a game between Texas A&M and the Georgia Bulldogs. (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 26: A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on the field in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 26, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – OCTOBER 26: A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on the field in the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on October 26, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

7. EDGE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa

A.J. Epenesa was a player that could have gone early in the first round or dip into the top of the second round. It really all depended on how several different teams have him ranked. A team like the Seattle Seahawks though could see him as their next great defensive power in round two.

Seattle currently has L.J. Collier, last year’s first-round pick, in the pass rush role. He was a flat out bust. The team had just 28 sacks a year ago which was the second-worst in the entire league. The Seahawks will, of course, hope that Collier improves in year two, but they need to take another swing at drafting a pass rusher that can help right away.

At Iowa, Epenesa had 22 sacks and 30.5 tackles for loss between his final two seasons. He also added four forced fumbles in each season. He has power and is an elite bull-rush talent. Epenesa lacks immediate recognition skills and is a step slower than some other pass rushers, but his strength and power allow him to succeed. He can play end in a 4-3 like the Seahawks have in place, with immediate production at the NFL level.

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