New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is big on effort, and he’d get plenty of it if he had a high-motor defensive playmaker like Buffalo Bills defensive end A.J. Epenesa on his roster.
Epenesa is the perfect example of patience and perseverance in a young, burgeoning NFL talent. Not having Matthew Judon on the field has obviously impacted the Patriots defense greatly. So imagine the kind of damage they could do with Epenesa joining the likes of Josh Uche, Deatrich Wise and Keion White.
It would be easy to choose Bills quarterback Josh Allen, wide receiver Stefon Diggs or even legendary pass-rusher Von Miller, but we’re taking things in a bit more of an unexpected route with Epenesa.
The Patriots have so many issues at receiver and the offense line that Allen and Diggs couldn’t save them alone. Granted, they could build around them and be better in the long-term for it. But a playmaker like Epenesa would help the defensive-focused Patriots right away.
He’s currently playing in a contract year and showing the sense of urgency you’d expected from a young player on the end of his rookie contract. With four sacks on the year, he is already 2.5 sacks away from tying his career-high from last season.
There’s nothing flashy about his game, either. He’s a tough defender that’s going to sprint and fight his way to the target with all-out effort on every single play. Belichick has made Super Bowl champions of such players in the past.
AJ Epenesa’s been on a heater the past two weeks
2nd-highest pressure rate among ED (min. 25 pass rush) and his 3 sacks are tied with Leonard Floyd for 3rd-most among ED
Trent Brown’s been good this season, but Epenesa’s bend led to some convincing wins last season https://t.co/wLPuTMbROs pic.twitter.com/WulSDEGoe8
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) October 18, 2023
Unfortunately for the Patriots, Epenesa will be on the opposing side of the field on Sunday, hell-bent on ruining the day for quarterback Mac Jones and the offense.
Somehow, someway—with a banged-up offensive line—the Patriots will have to find a way to stop him.
