The Viking Age
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6 edge rushers the Vikings could select in the 2020 NFL Draft

By Chris Schad

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson #18 of the LSU Tigers and teammates celebrate a defensive stop against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 28: Linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson #18 of the LSU Tigers and teammates celebrate a defensive stop against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Minnesota Vikings
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) A.J. Epenesa /

A.J. Epenesa (Iowa)

Measurements:

  • Height: 6-foot-6 | Weight: 280 pounds

2019 Stats:

  • 49 total tackles
  • 14 tackles for a loss
  • 11.5 sacks

Those who double as Gopher fans probably still have nightmares of what A.J. Epenesa did to their championship hopes last fall. As the undefeated Gophers rolled into Iowa, Epenesa was a terror with a season-high 2.5 sacks as the Hawkeyes pulled off the upset at Kinnick Stadium.

But what makes a performance like this a credit to his draft stock is that this was a regular occurrence. Despite not having the speed or burst of some of the other prospects in this draft, Epenesa is just a consistent pass-rushing machine.

The Illinois native collected 26.5 sacks during his career with the Hawkeyes and that includes double-digit sacks in each of his final two seasons. Armed with a powerful bull-rush, Epenesa can disrupt the pocket quickly and have opposing lineman going backward.

Such a prospect would be a solid choice to replace Griffen in the lineup while using Odenigbo in the joker role that Weatherly was originally supposed to occupy last year. Once one of the top prospects in this class, the Minnesota Vikings could be looking at a steal if they select Epenesa in the back half of the first round.

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