NFL Mock Draft 2020: Way-too-early look at projected first round

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
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Iowa. A.J. Epenesa. 8. player. 16. . DE

I really like what the Bills have done this offseason across the board, but I’m still not convinced they are going to take a big step forward with Josh Allen at quarterback. I have major concerns about his long-term viability as a starting quarterback, and wouldn’t be surprised if they end up in a similar situation as the Jaguars were with Blake Bortles the last few years.

They aren’t going to give up on Allen this quickly, so they’ll continue looking to stock up on talent at other areas of the roster. Buffalo bulked up both lines of scrimmage this year with their first two picks – Houston’s Ed Oliver and Oklahoma’s Cody Ford – both of whom should excite the fanbase.

Oliver could be a monster in the middle for the Bills, and the next step might be to find an edge rusher to put next to him, especially with Jerry Hughes entering the final year of his contract.

Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa had an insanely productive sophomore season. He led the Big Ten with 10.5 sacks and racked up 16.5 tackles-for-loss. He ranked second in the conference with four forced fumbles, and finished as a first-team All Big Ten performer.

Epenesa is a physically imposing talent at 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, and he moves extremely well for being that big. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him picked ahead of Ohio State’s Chase Young.