After spending last year’s first-round pick on Brian Burns, many Panthers fans might not think of edge rusher as a great area of need. However, with the departure of Mario Addison, Gerald McCoy, Vernon Butler, and Bruce Irvin in free agency, the team will need to fill out their defensive front with intior linemen and at least one more quality edge rusher opposite Burns.
The Panthers also added former Vikings defensive end Stephen Weatherly, who has shown tremendous potential playing behind pro bowlers Everson Griffin and Danielle Hunter, but he’s been a backup most of his career and there’s no guarantee that he will be able to produce consistently either.
Let’s take a look at a prospect who has shown consistent production throughout his college career and could contribute Week 1 for Carolina.
Scouting Report:
Epenesa measured in at 6-foot-5, 275 pounds at the NFL combine. He posted a 5.04 second 40-yard dash, 17 reps on the bench, a 9.75 foot broad jump and 7.34 second 3 cone. Many analysts are bashing Epenesa for his sub-par performance. However, I think scouts are clinging to the athletic numbers too much and not paying enough attention to his tape. Just because his athletic testing was poor does not mean he should be labeled as a potential bust, because the skill is definitely there on film.
When you watch Epensesa three things stand out – his overwhelming functional strength, exceptional hand usage and surprising burst for a defender his size. Epenesa is not one of those edge rushers, like Burns, who will win with speed and bend, but rather one who will win with his power and top-notch bull rush. Also, he is stout at the point of attack against the run and consistently disrupts plays in the backfield.
Epenesa is a pure strong-side defensive end who can take on a double team and win with his combination of heavy hands and strength. He has done it already against some of the best offensive line competition college football has to offer. He also presents some versatility, as he’s played all over the defensive front during his time at Iowa, including snaps at the two and three technique.
The only downside of Epenesa’s game is that, as stated before, he is not a very bendy pass rusher. He is able to get off the snap with some surprising burst for a big man, but he shows little ability to dip and bend around the edge. Fortunately for him though, he has a tremendous arsenal of moves and is exceptional using the bull rush.
Highlights:
Epenesa vs. Nebraska
Epenesa vs. Minnesota
Epenesa vs. Michigan
Fit with Panthers:
Epenesa could be a tremendous fit for Carolina, as he is exactly the kind of “prototypical” player Matt Rhule and his staff are looking for. With the news that the Panthers will be switching back to a 4-3 defense, Epenesa will be able to provide versatility at both defensive end and tackle. He would also be the perfect complement to Burns on the opposite edge.
When he lines up at end, he will be able to align on the strong side of the offense’s formation and take on double teams since he is bigger and more physical than Burns. This will free Burns up to more one-on-one scenarios as well. Since his draft stock took a hit after the combine, the best way to get him is to trade down to the mid-to-late first round. If so, Epenesa would provide tremendous value.
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