Niner Noise
FanSided

2020 NFL Draft: 32-pick Round 1 mock with 49ers selecting twice

By Peter Panacy

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a draft pick by the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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A.J. Epenesa, Iowa Hawkeyes
A.J. Epenesa #94 of the Iowa Hawkeyes (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Hawkeyes . A.J. Epenesa. 25. player. 878. . EDGE

The Vikings got their offensive help by landing Jalen Reagor with their first of two Round 1 NFL Draft picks.

But it’s pretty easy to understand why head coach Mike Zimmer’s defense needs more work in this year’s draft. And at all three levels, too.

One of the most pressing voids was created when EDGE Everson Griffen decided he wanted to hit the free-agent market this offseason. While the Vikings still boast their best pass-rusher, Danielle Hunter, finding some complementary help in a relatively thin pass-rushing draft class this year would do wonders.

Especially if it helps alleviate some of the other losses within the secondary, or so the argument goes.

Iowa EDGE A.J. Epenesa might not be this year’s best collegiate pass-rushing prospect, but he seems to fit the mold better for what the Vikings want to do here. He’s good against the run, has a solid array of pass-rushing moves and is one of the safer options for this group in this year’s class.

Considering he wouldn’t have to be the guy in the pass rush, one could make the argument Epenesa could thrive in such a role.