A Wake Forest Defensive End
April 26th, 2021
Wake Forest DE Carlos Basham.
Boy, this here is a curveball. But who is Joe to argue?
The greatest mock draftnik of the post-Joel Buchsbaum era was Rich Gosselin, then of the Dallas Morning News. At the time, Gosselin was a beat writer covering the Cowboys, but he quit his mock drafts when he got bumped up to columnist.
Gosselin had access to every shot-caller if not owner in the NFL. And he used those contacts each spring. Year after year after year Gosselin finished atop The Huddle Report with mock draft accuracy.
How much of an “in” did Gosselin have with NFL suits and coaches? He recommended a quarterback from Kent State to Bill Belichick that would be a good addition to Belichick’s special teams. This player was fully off Belichick’s radar.
That player’s name was Julien Edelman.
So when a guy like Gosselin suggests people monitor a mocker, Joe heeds his words. And that mocker would be Jeff Legwold of BSPN, who has the Bucs taking a player Joe has never read anyone slot to the Bucs at No. 32: Wake Forest defensive end Carlos Basham Jr.
Basham had 23 consecutive games during his career with at least one tackle for loss. If teams start with his effort and power, they can work with him on the rest. He needs to smooth some rough edges in his pass rush but presents plenty of versatility across a defensive front.
So Joe did a little research and damn if this guy hasn’t put up stats.
His sack numbers are just meh, 19.5 in his last 31 games. But Basham seems to have a nose for the football with 33.5 tackles for loss in his last 31 games. He clearly has speed, and played running back and receiver in high school.
Here is what Dane Brugler has written about “Boogie” Basham in his “Beast” of a draft guide.
STRENGTHS: Nimble-footed big man with straight-line explosion…understands rush tracks, widening outside to create an inside lane…can be knocked off his path, but maintains his balance at contact…brawny frame with adequate length and a strong trunk…plays with natural force to work his way through bodies…hand technique and purpose have improved each season…very aware player with the reaction skills to close down run lanes…never quits hustling, chasing the ball up-and-down the line of scrimmage…gets his hands elevated into passing lanes…his relentless nature directly leads to production, recording 33.5 tackles for loss over 33 games the last three seasons.
SUMMARY: A three-year starter at Wake Forest, Basham lined up at defensive end in defensive coordinator Lyle Hemphill’s four-man base, often reducing inside over the A-gap or B-gap on passing downs. Between October 2018 and October 2020, he recorded at least one tackle for loss in 23 straight games, which was the longest streak in the country the last few seasons. While he can be slowed, Basham is rarely controlled due to his active play style, power and hustle, which directly leads to production. His hands have some pop, but his stiff hips show when trying to bend the corner and he must develop his pass rush sequence. Overall, Basham needs to become a more creative pass rusher, but his size, explosiveness and effort are above average and allow him to rush from different alignments. He projects similarly to the Texans’ Charles Omenihu as a starting base end with scheme versatility.
Brugler has Basham as his No. 7 overall edge rusher and a mid-second round pick.
And here is Joe’s good friend Emory Hunt, the Czar of the Playbook, and his take on Basham in his Football Gameplan Draft Guide. He has Basham ranked his No. 4 edge rusher.
Strengths:
– Feet and hands are both in unison, and they are both very quick. He gets a lot of his wins because of both being what they are.
– Stays mentally locked in throughout the game, despite teams trying to go away from him. Always playing through the whistle, pursuing the ball as well.
– Great burst off the ball and shows some compact-contact power when he’s rushing from a 7T/9T
– Fluid athlete who carries that 281lbs extremely well.Areas of Improvement:
– Lack of length can get him in trouble at times, as well as him shooting inside without a Plan B.
– Has to find a way to work power into his game. He’s strong, but still has room to become more powerful.
Joe would not be against drafting Basham. The only thing is defensive ends and pass rushers don’t normally make much of an impact as rookies. Aren’t the Bucs going pedal-to-the-metal, Super Bowl-or-bust, Going for Two? If not, they should.
Comparing him to Houston’s Charles Omenihu is more like a slap in the face than a compliment.
April 26th, 2021 at 9:19 am
Basham really doesn’t fit a 3-4 scheme very well imo. He’s not an olb/edge and not a 3-4 end. He’s a pass rushing down player in our scheme, where he could be a 3 down 4-3 DE. I like the player. Not at 32 and not for our scheme.
April 26th, 2021 at 9:20 am
WEAKNESSES: Stiff hips and tall pads, struggling to dip or bend around blockers…wild, inefficient pass rush plan with too many wasted movements in his
sequence…explosive lower body out of his stance, but his hands don’t play with the same explosion…has shown the ability to track the football or break down
blockers in front of him, but struggles to do both simultaneously…bad habit of turning his shoulder at contact instead of locking out with his length
April 26th, 2021 at 9:22 am
I like him as a 2nd rounder. Oweh or Tryon in the first.
April 26th, 2021 at 9:24 am
I like what I’m hearing about the young man.
Sounds like my type of player.
We need OL and DL.
April 26th, 2021 at 9:32 am
Bashem it’s a great name for a DE.
April 26th, 2021 at 9:38 am
I was at the watercooler today pounding on the table for this guy
April 26th, 2021 at 9:43 am
He is a good player and I am sure the way Bowles is creative he could certainly use him. However, I think most people see him as a 4-3 guy.
April 26th, 2021 at 9:48 am
I have watched allot of his games. If anyone is saying he is not a good player then they do not know what they are talking about. He was without question the best defensive player on Wake Forest’s team and he commanded a ton of attention and was still very productive. He is a well rounded player in that he is equally good against the run and pass.
They did run a 4-3 though so he would have to adjust his game to fit into the Bucs defense.
April 26th, 2021 at 9:51 am
Looks big, strong & has great closing speed…..move back & take him in the 2nd….
April 26th, 2021 at 10:07 am
Any DLineman with a name like Bashem has already got my vote. Walter Football lists him as 6’5″ & 275 lbs, not particularly fast (4.85 in the 40) but with great quickness. Looks like he was very steady in his last 3 yrs at Wake Forest (only played 7 games in 2020 but still got 5 sacks & 28 tackles).
Several other DLinemen I’d rather see us draft, but at #32, beggars can’t be choosers; all the others may be gone. And for those saying he’s a 4-3 DE, I think you might be selling Todd Bowles short. He doesn’t run the classic 3-4 defense (more of a hybrid) and Todd has a way of getting the best out of each player’s talent. Bashem supposedly plays the run very well (seems that 4-3 DE Will Gholston had the same rep & Bowles found a way to use him pretty effectively IMO).
April 26th, 2021 at 10:10 am
Looks (and sounds) like a player. Worth considering for sure.
April 26th, 2021 at 10:12 am
I’m having Eric Curry – Wake Forest flashbacks
“Sack numbers are meh”…that’s about 2 sacks for every 3 games average
Trade up for Collins and let Bowles use his versatility in his defense and scheme. I’m starting to see Azeez Ojulari falling to #32 in a lot of mock drafts lately. I watched the NFL network media live Draft yesterday and he fell to us and Peter Schrager turned the card in for him
Just no Landon Dickerson in 1st round please (2nd round is a different story). He is the best Center/IOL in the draft when healthy, but he hasn’t finished any of his 4 seasons due to significant injuries. Just tore another ACL a few months ago. Has had major injuries to BoTH knees and BOTH ankles. That’s serious and major red flags. I don’t even care if he checks out right now, as that’s only one issue. The frequency of these significant injuries (to the all important legs of an OL) are troubling and makes you wonder when the next one will arise. He’s 4 for 4 in his football seasons so far. And I can”t stand the people saying “but it’s a luxury pick and you can take the chance”…you still have to be smart, responsible and realistic. You still can’t just go throwing out 1st round picks all Willy-Nilly because it’s a “luxury pick” and we don’t have any glaring needs.
April 26th, 2021 at 10:13 am
Most definitely for a Second pick.
April 26th, 2021 at 10:28 am
At 64
April 26th, 2021 at 10:28 am
Will is a couple inches taller with almost 2 inch longer arms. That’s extremely important for locking out and holding position against the run. Which we know is a prerequisite for early down usage in Bowles’ scheme. Will was also an experienced and successfully established player when he transitioned to 3-4 end. He had already proven to be an effective edge setter on the strong side in a 4-3 scheme. Basham is a shoulder turning gap shooter, similar to McCoy. Not a lock out, hold your ground straight up on the olineman 3-4 end.
April 26th, 2021 at 11:33 am
Could be a good pick if we trade out of the 1st or maybe with the 2nd rounder if he’s still on the board.
April 26th, 2021 at 11:51 am
Well, Big V broke his leg, Cappa broke his arm and ankle, still need to see him battle back from that ankle…but theyre still great players. I get some will be scared of Landon, thats why he’ll be there at 32. With our medical and training staff, he’ll be fine. Injuries happen. What if Jensen got injured? Who replaces him? … … …… exactly.
April 26th, 2021 at 11:53 am
But yeah, ive watched Basham many times, he’s def a great player and I would not be opposed to drafting him in the bottom of the 2nd.
April 26th, 2021 at 12:07 pm
J-Ghotier- Eric Curry played at Bama. Aaron Curry played at Wake Forest. The most memorable Bucs player to hail from Wake was Tony Mayberry.
April 26th, 2021 at 2:39 pm
Natural Selection is on point… Really good FB player, but not a 3-4 DE or OLB.
And definitely not Day 1.
If the FO is looking for a BU to JPP…I would be really interested in Greg Rousseau (Miami) on Day 1, Jordan Smith (UAB) on Day 2 or Joshua Kiandoh (FSU) on Day 3…All have the length / skill set to be JPP’s eventual replacement & immediate BU role player in 2021.
But ultimately, it all comes down to who’s available when the Bucs are on the clock…There are a MANY quality DEF players in this draft – and many will slip & slide due to the NFL teams being out of their comfort zones due 2020 college season / Covid pre-draft abnormal conditions.
A Good Scouting Dept will make all the difference in the world, this yr!! I hope the FO is locked in & has done their homework. (Film don’t lie!)
April 27th, 2021 at 12:58 pm
If they wanna go with a DE they have the ability Tryon at 32 or possibly early second. Very large. Very JPP.