Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

‘“I would have to say probably close to 60 or 70 people,” Epenesa said Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine, recalling the get-together who watched as Iowa blew out the Trojans and Epenesa was named defensive player of the game with 2.5 sacks. “All of my family from L.A., from Oceanside, from San Diego, they all kind of just migrated to San Diego and people from Samoa, too, were able to come.’

‘“When he first came in, I was thinking this is just another guy, he puts on his pants the same way we do,” Jones said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “But then the second day of pads, he’s lined up at nose, running with the twos, and he lifts up the center, tosses him out of the way. Hits the running back in the backfield. His helmet pops off, the ball flies in the air. I’m like, ‘OK, alright, he’s a good player.’”’

‘Nearly 11 years later, Laviska Jr. is the very picture of perseverance, a young man who understood at a very young age that life isn’t fair, and all you can do is what his father would want him to do.’

‘“Honestly, I’m looking for a good player,” general manager Brandon Beane said. “Receivers come in the Baskin-Robbins’ 31 flavors — size, speed, length, run after the catch. I think it will probably be the deepest (position) in the draft. We’re not just looking for speed or size. We’re looking for good players who can come in and fit with players that we have — John Brown, Cole Beasley and the rest of that group.”’

‘“I love these other leagues,” Beane continued. “We don’t have a minor-league system like some of the other professional leagues do. For us, that’s another chance for guys to play football. You can run around and work guys out, but this is true simulation, helmets on, pads on, playing the game. We definitely do have an eye on the XFL.”’

‘They have put the franchise back on stable ground and in a position — thanks to solid drafting, prudent free agent moves, and smart salary cap management — to contend for playoff berths and even playoff victories in the years to come.’

‘The most interesting for fans who watch the coverage — 4 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday — will involve the passing game.’

‘Most NFL analysts agree that the Buffalo Bills need to take a wide receiver or edge rusher at No. 22 in the first round. Several analysts have the Bills taking Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is projected to be the fourth or fifth best wide receiver in a deep draft class.’

‘However, even with the increase, going to a Bills game will remain remarkably inexpensive in comparison to the rest of the NFL, and most Bills fans know this.’

‘More important than Olsen’s production, though, would be what he would bring in experience to the tight end room, giving Knox and Sweeney a true receiving tight end who they can learn from. Could there be a better mentor out there?’

‘Both clubs have 1,000-yard tight ends that have sweated their way to stardom, Travis Kelce as a third-round pick and George Kittle as a fifth-rounder. It’s a reminder that teams can’t win without drafting well, and that’s not in the first round, it’s every round.’

‘The Bills have two obvious areas of need as draft season gets underway:, wide receiver and edge rusher, and they could go either way with their first-round pick at No. 22 overall. Also, no one should be surprised if they take a cornerback.’

‘Based on what I saw in Mobile, here are a few the Bills might consider in those critical second and third rounds at their biggest positions of need, wide receiver and edge rusher.’

‘“I just want to come here — and it’s the perfect week to do it — to prove that I’m one of the best in the country at pass rushing,” he said. “I can put my hand down in a 3-4 scheme and I came from Utah in a 4-3 so probably right now I’m more comfortable on the edge in a 4-3, but left or right, either side doesn’t matter.”’

‘In fact, ESPN’s Todd McShay had the Bills taking Aiyuk in his first mock draft, published in late December, saying, “Yes, John Brown and Cole Beasley have been a big part of the Bills’ offense in quarterback Josh Allen’s second season, but that doesn’t mean the team doesn’t need more help on the offensive side of the ball. Aiyuk improves Buffalo’s receiving corps with his versatility and speed. But don’t be surprised if the Bills consider an edge rusher or cornerback here, either.”’