ESPN analyst Todd McShay has the New England Patriots taking University of Iowa defensive lineman A.J. Epenesa in the first round of the NFL Draft next month.

McShay notes that the pass rush isn't an area of need for the Patriots, as they tallied 47 sacks this past season, but Epenesa would be a perfect fit in New England's 3-4 defense and would be able to replace former defensive end Trey Flowers, who signed with the Detroit Lions last offseason.

Epenesa would definitely be a peculiar direction for the Pats to go, as defense is far from the Patriots' biggest problem. New England is in desperate need of help in the aerial attack, so you would think it would be more likely that the Pats would take a wide receiver or a tight end in the first round.

Of course, the Patriots could very well address those needs in free agency, and Epenesa is a fine prospect.

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The 21-year-old is coming off of a junior campaign in which he racked up 49 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.

Epenesa arrived at Iowa back in 2017, and in his freshman year, he had a rather limited role, logging 15 tackles, 5.5 tackle for loss, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

He then broke out in 2018, finishing with 37 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a defensive touchdown, putting himself on the map as a top defensive line prospect entering 2019.

New England won its 11th straight AFC East division title this past year, but it ultimately fell to the Tennessee Titans in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs.