Grading the double-vision 2021 NFL Draft of the Buffalo Bills
player. 16. Scouting Report. Wake Forest. Carlos Basham Jr.. Pick Analysis. Defensive Lineman. 2
Buffalo Bills draft grade: A-
In a bit of a surprising move, the Buffalo Bills doubled up at defensive end to begin the 2021 NFL Draft. After selecting Miami edge rusher, Gregory Rousseau, in the first round, the Bills go with an even bigger end with Carlos Basham Jr. from Wake Forest.
Carlos “Boogie” Basham is a big and versatile defensive lineman who had some first-round hype for the 2021 NFL Draft. Ultimately, he fell to pick 61, giving Buffalo Bills head coach, Sean McDermott, and defensive coordinator, Leslie Frazier, yet another big and powerful defensive lineman.
Along with Rousseau and 2020 second-round pick A.J. Epenesa, Boogie Basham clearly fits the mold of big and dominant edge defenders. Like the others, Basham is powerful and effective from both the edge and the interior of the defensive line.
Basham is not afraid to play physically. He battles through blocks, uses his hands well and enjoys laying the boom in the backfield. He has a sneaky quick first step, with underrated athleticism and closing speed to quickly get to the football.
As a true edge rusher, Basham has decent bend but is a little bigger than your typical speed rusher at 6-foot-3 and 274 pounds. At that size, Basham needs to be more effective setting the edge in the run game and could even jump inside to rush on passing downs.
It’s a little odd to see so many similar players added in the last couple of drafts, but it is a position that the team needed to refresh. Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison are both playing well, but at some point, the team will need to move on. You can never have too many pass rushers, especially when each of them can play anywhere on the defensive front.
I like the pick and the value of snagging Boogie Basham late in the second round. McDermott and Frazier’s defense relies heavily on creating pressure with their front four, and a potential rushing package of Rousseau, Basham, Ed Oliver and A.J. Epenesa could be very dangerous for years to come.