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The Cleveland Browns continue to methodically plot their way through free agency, and on Wednesday, the Browns added a nice, veteran pass rusher, A.J. Epenesa, from the Buffalo Bills.
General manager Andrew Berry stayed true to his word from the combine when he said that Cleveland could afford to be decently aggressive this offseason before being able to really put their foot on the gas pedal next year to acquire premier talent.
The reported details of Epenesa's deal with the Browns is a one-year, $5M agreement. The 27-year-old doesn't have to travel far to get to his new home, as he spent his first six seasons in Buffalo. Here are five things to know about Cleveland's brand new pass rusher.
For a defensive end, Epenesa is no stranger to interceptions and no stranger to the endzone. In his career, he has registered four total interceptions and has even found his way into the endzone. That pick-six came in 2023, which coincidentally was Epenesa's best season as a pro. Not only did he have two interceptions, but he had eight pass breakups to go along with a career high 6.5 sacks.
The second-round pick never established himself as the premier pass rusher that he was likely drafted to be. Over his career, he has appeared in 91 games but has registered just 19 starts, 13 of which came in 2024, which was his career high.
The best ball of his career came in the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. In those years, he registered 19 total sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and 31 quarterback hurries. Those three seasons were preceded by two tough years to start his career, and then his last season in Buffalo was not his best. Cleveland hopes to tap into that early 2020s version of the pass rusher.
Epenesa isn't going to trick you into thinking that he is a run defender. He is one of the worst defensive linemen against the run and makes his money by getting to the quarterback. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks as the 105th edge defender against the run out of 115 eligible players.
AJ followed in his father's footsteps to Iowa to be a valued member of the Hawkeyes. His father, Eppy, walked on with the Iowa football team after moving from American Samoa. AJ took the same path to college as he went to Iowa as well, and as a Hawkeye, made quite the impact. In three seasons, he notched 26.5 sacks and even registered nine total forced fumbles. He was a star at Iowa and proved to be a very valued played entering the NFL.
Cleveland will never be short of pass rushers, and this addition of Epenesa falls in line with Olivier Vernon, Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Za'Darius Smith. The Browns aren't looking for a premier pass rusher; they are looking for a rotational guy that they can rely on to make a play from time to time.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL free agency: 5 things to know about new DE A.J. Epenesa
Continue reading...
General manager Andrew Berry stayed true to his word from the combine when he said that Cleveland could afford to be decently aggressive this offseason before being able to really put their foot on the gas pedal next year to acquire premier talent.
The reported details of Epenesa's deal with the Browns is a one-year, $5M agreement. The 27-year-old doesn't have to travel far to get to his new home, as he spent his first six seasons in Buffalo. Here are five things to know about Cleveland's brand new pass rusher.
Ball Hawk?
For a defensive end, Epenesa is no stranger to interceptions and no stranger to the endzone. In his career, he has registered four total interceptions and has even found his way into the endzone. That pick-six came in 2023, which coincidentally was Epenesa's best season as a pro. Not only did he have two interceptions, but he had eight pass breakups to go along with a career high 6.5 sacks.
Rotational Edge Rusher for the Browns
The second-round pick never established himself as the premier pass rusher that he was likely drafted to be. Over his career, he has appeared in 91 games but has registered just 19 starts, 13 of which came in 2024, which was his career high.
Three-Year Stretch
The best ball of his career came in the years 2022, 2023, and 2024. In those years, he registered 19 total sacks, 22 tackles for loss, and 31 quarterback hurries. Those three seasons were preceded by two tough years to start his career, and then his last season in Buffalo was not his best. Cleveland hopes to tap into that early 2020s version of the pass rusher.
Pass Rush Specialist
Epenesa isn't going to trick you into thinking that he is a run defender. He is one of the worst defensive linemen against the run and makes his money by getting to the quarterback. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks as the 105th edge defender against the run out of 115 eligible players.
Legacy Legend at Iowa
AJ followed in his father's footsteps to Iowa to be a valued member of the Hawkeyes. His father, Eppy, walked on with the Iowa football team after moving from American Samoa. AJ took the same path to college as he went to Iowa as well, and as a Hawkeye, made quite the impact. In three seasons, he notched 26.5 sacks and even registered nine total forced fumbles. He was a star at Iowa and proved to be a very valued played entering the NFL.
Cleveland will never be short of pass rushers, and this addition of Epenesa falls in line with Olivier Vernon, Ogbo Okoronkwo, and Za'Darius Smith. The Browns aren't looking for a premier pass rusher; they are looking for a rotational guy that they can rely on to make a play from time to time.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Browns NFL free agency: 5 things to know about new DE A.J. Epenesa
Continue reading...
