RD 2, Pick 29 (61): Boogie Basham, DE (Wake Forest)

[H2o]

Basham is a DE. Everyone needs to remember that Jerry Hughes will be 33 when the season starts and will be a FA next Spring. Addison is only here for one more season at most. Beane said in his Zoom meeting that the draft this year is about the future, not just now. I can see a combination of Rousseau/Basham/Epenesa being our 1A, 1B, and 1C in the starting lineup going into 2022. 

[TheyCallMeAndy]

He’s a DE, every single DE that they’d acquired since AJ Espenesa has the ability to rush from the inside. 

[CEN-CAL17]

Don’t be surprised if they ask him to do what they asked Epenesa.... drop some weight to be quicker.

 

Being 270, I could see them telling him to get to 260.

[maryland-bills-fan]

Oliver is 287 pounds.  Yes, Basham can play inside and spell Oliver.  Basham may be able to bulk up from 270 and give us an extra 3 technique on the inside- especailly on passing downs.   We could then have Hughes and Rousseau on the outside and two penetrating interior tackles.  That is a lot of speed to go after the mobile QB's that we often are facing.  We also have Zimmer as interior DL, who is also speedy and good at pursuit.   There is a plan.

[nucci]

5 hours ago, KOKBILLS said:

A final point on this pick...

 

I know most of us watched every down of Bills football last year...But in case you forgot the Bills Defense dropped from 9th in the league in 3rd Down Defense (36.44%)in 2019 to 19th in 2020 (41.7%)...I'm certain most of you remember the painful drop off in 3rd and long D this year...There were only 2 Playoff teams worse than the Bills D on 3rd Down (Cleveland and Seattle)...

 

They also dropped from 6th in the league in sacks per game (3.0) in 2019 to 15th (2.3) in 2020...From 2nd in scoring D in 2019 (16.5) to 14th (23.2) in 2020. That's basically a TD per game...From 4th in passing yards per game in 2019 (196.6) to 14th in 2020 (239.5)...

 

McD is a Defensive Coach...None of this went unnoticed...

 

From a personal perspective, as amazing as it was to see the Bills Offense operate in 2020 and watch Josh Allen mature into an NFL star, it was almost equally as frustrating watching this Defense...It is 100% true that maintaining excellence on Defense year after year in the NFL is unlikely...But I doubt very much McD cares about the odds....The truth is, if this Bills Offense can maintain in the passing game, improve running the ball to keep Defenses honest, and the D can return to 2019 efficiency...Well...Then we'll be talking about a legit SB Championship caliber team...

 

And that's why I love the Draft approach this year...The Bills were not good enough, especially in the trenches on Defense...They went long stretches of games not effecting the opposing QB nearly enough...Nothing is guaranteed of course, but McBeane are out to change that in a blunt-force kind of way...And I'm greatly encouraged by the effort...Yes it's going to mean some surprising roster changes are coming to the D-Line...But IMHO it's 100% warranted and needed to take that last big step... 😎

Agree the D needs to be better. The offense will probably step back a bit as playing on the road in full stadiums will be different than last season. Won't be as calm and quiet for the O. 

[JMF2006]

Welcome Boogie Basham inside/ outside who cares as long as you make the QB uncomfortable.

 

 

[H2o]

7 minutes ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

Don’t be surprised if they ask him to do what they asked Epenesa.... drop some weight to be quicker.

 

Being 270, I could see them telling him to get to 260.

Idk, I think 270 is a good weight for him considering he played between 285-290lbs while at Wake Forest. 

[DCOrange]

  

21 hours ago, DCOrange said:

I do think having an edge guy that can set the edge in run defense and clean things up when the initial pressure forces the QB to move is important and something that we lacked this past year.

 

We still need that initial rusher long-term though as I don't really think that's Epenesa. Still some intriguing guys that could fit that criteria available though. I really hope we double dip on edge guys the way Tampa did with corners a couple years ago when they took Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean back to back on day 2.

 

Basham isn't really what I had in mind, but this aged pretty well.

[TheyCallMeAndy]

13 minutes ago, CEN-CAL17 said:

Don’t be surprised if they ask him to do what they asked Epenesa.... drop some weight to be quicker.

 

Being 270, I could see them telling him to get to 260.

He also ran a 4.59 at 274 pounds

[BobbyC81]

1 hour ago, Jaraxxus said:

I see Brown being the inverse of Jason Peters. Being an OL but being used like a TE.

 

 

Paul Seymour 2.0

[machine gun kelly]

Maryland, I don’t know as Butler is normally a 3 tech. DT, but was forced when Star opted out to take on that role.  GROOT probably only gets limited time as he only played in 14 college football games.  These additions were more for our future vs. now with the exception of Basham as he played 44 games in college.

 

I could see a world where they go the opposite direction with Epenesa and he gets back to 280 as he would play more of a Shaq role setting the edge against the run.  He was actually pretty good in that he helped us much better against the run in 2019.  Epenesa at 260 was pushed around a bit, but was much better on the run in college.  I understand them wanting speed from him last year, but it worked minimally.  It’s not a bad idea to have two types of DE’s.

[Coach Tuesday]

Watching him, he plays like a slightly shorter version of Chris Jones.  He’s going to wreak havoc.

[balln]

8 hours ago, transplantbillsfan said:

To me this would make all the sense in the world if we weren't desperate for CBs at this point.  Now I'm genuinely worried about our CB situation beyond White... and next year it'll only be him and Jackson under contract.

 

That said, I think the Super Bowl proved pretty well that if you can get a lot of pressure on Mahomes, he's human... pretty much just like absolutely any other QB in history.

 

I don't know much about college football, but this guy was evidently Dane Brugler's 44th ranked prospect so we got good value there if that's true.  Does anyone have a clue whether we still save money on the Cap if we cut Addison before the season?  Regardless... Beane is looking towards the future.  Even if Hughes and Addison remain... they're old and at least Addison will almost certainly be gone next year... but likely both.  Reading the tea leaves I would say Beane understands he's about to pay Josh Allen big money and he wants our edge rushers to be set.  In order to ensure that, he's making sure they're part of a rotation this year so they can learn from the savvy vets and then will be our starters next year.

 

But... what about CB?

there wasnt anyone bills wanted when they were picking / right value. 

[HappyDays]

I think in Rousseau they took the higher ceiling and in Basham they took the higher floor. I won't be surprised if Basham contributes more his rookie season while Rousseau develops some pass rush moves.

[Coach Tuesday]

He’s a similar player to Chris Jones of the Chiefs, just a few inches shorter.  But he’d be a great interior disrupter and I suspect he’ll back up Oliver in year one.

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, H2o said:

Basham is a DE. Everyone needs to remember that Jerry Hughes will be 33 when the season starts and will be a FA next Spring. Addison is only here for one more season at most. Beane said in his Zoom meeting that the draft this year is about the future, not just now. I can see a combination of Rousseau/Basham/Epenesa being our 1A, 1B, and 1C in the starting lineup going into 2022. 

Gonna be a scary defensive front for years to come a la WFT, especially if they get that big, offensive lineman engulfing DT.

Edited May 1, 2021 by Solomon Grundy

[Kaenon]

10 hours ago, Rock-A-Bye Beasley said:

I didn’t look into him too much. What do you like about him?
 

I wanted Rousseau for months then everyone said he was gonna fall suddenly. 

I didn't get to watch much college ball this year, record low for me really.

But Basham really stood out and has other intangibles you want in a player.

I won't get into his play because you can watch highlights or some game clips, but outside of that, he's got that swagger you want, was a captain, can squat over 700 lbs., and finally, 20+ sacks in college isn't anything to scoff at.

[BuffaloBob]

18 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I think in Rousseau they took the higher ceiling and in Basham they took the higher floor. I won't be surprised if Basham contributes more his rookie season while Rousseau develops some pass rush moves.

I do think Rousseau can still contribute this season on passing downs from inside while he is perfecting those moves against tackles. 

[Reed83HOF]

11 hours ago, DJB said:

Beane when he sees an edge guy available and he's on the clock

 

 

One of my favorite gifs

 

Well done!

11 hours ago, klos63 said:

Because Hughes, Addison and Star likely gone after this coming season.

Addison is certainly gone, I still think Jerry may stick around for a year or 2 on a cheaper deal with a voidable cut year on the back side. 

Edited May 1, 2021 by Reed83HOF

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

11 hours ago, Big Turk said:

 

That would remind me of Lawson...we could definitely use a guy like that...edge setter against the run and able to get the odd sack here and there

Way more athletic than Shaq.

 

after watching his YouTube clip, I’m not sure why folks want him inside. Guy is just the kind of athletic freak you want on the edge. 
 

Both guys could start

Edited May 1, 2021 by Over 29 years of fanhood

[Reed83HOF]

11 hours ago, dave mcbride said:

Only reason that worked in the super bowl is because both KC LTs were down. Against teams with good pass rushes when kc’s LTs were healthy, the line was basically fine.

For some reason, I feel like everyone overlooks this very point...

[Rockinon]

When the NY Giants defeated NE in the Superbowl, they ran what they called a NASCAR defense. Basically, they put 4 DEs on the line and got after Brady that way. Wondering if McD has something similar in mind.

[Rocket94]

43 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

I think in Rousseau they took the higher ceiling and in Basham they took the higher floor. I won't be surprised if Basham contributes more his rookie season while Rousseau develops some pass rush moves.

Basham looks ready to play. Just his style or game seems to translate quickly.

[dave mcbride]

Well, I called him (but I was off by 30 slots!): 

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

6 hours ago, Agent 91 said:

Must not have noticed they had Lavonte David Shaq Barrett and Devin White. Because we have zero of that  at this point 

 

I'm sure he noticed.  He also noticed our tight cap and the big dollars "similar" players were getting in FA.

 

4 hours ago, BuffaloBill said:

Isn’t that what you’ll get if SDS cuts you from being a Mod?

 

My eyes are opened now.  Where has that salary been going the past 3 years?

[JaCrispy]

I like this pick better than the Rousseau pick...

[LyndonvilleBill]

At first I was like WHAT?? Double Dip... But now I am thinking we have a hard time covering Kelce. Maybe instead of trying to cover him, try and force KC to keep him on the line to help block? Same with the bucs and possibly 2 TE sets from NE? Still think we need a DT1 somewhere in this draft... Now I am thinking,  this could be quite a fun Dline to watch...🤗. Plus with the extra game this year, I wonder if our D just got worn down at the end of last season...

[YoloinOhio]

43 minutes ago, Reed83HOF said:

For some reason, I feel like everyone overlooks this very point...

I don’t think it’s overlooked as much as it’s obvious the Bills need to get the QB more regardless of why the chiefs struggled to protect mahomes. Mahomes threw 56 times vs the Bills in two games last year and the Bills sacked him once. He wasn’t under pressure. You can’t blitz him. You need to get to him with 4. It’s not just the Bucs. The Chargers and Miami showed they could do it too. As Beane said too it’s not just mahomes. Every team we play is going to be trying to throw it all over to score a lot of points knowing they need to keep up, need to counter that. Plus Hughes and Addison are gone next year and we starters ready to step in knowing the scheme and with seasoning. I think Addison could be gone after TC if everyone is healthy tbh. Watching him try to contain was painful. 

Edited May 1, 2021 by YoloinOhio

[Shaw66]

23 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

I don’t think it’s overlooked as much as it’s obvious the Bills need to get the QB more regardless of why the chiefs struggled to protect mahomes. Mahomes threw 56 times vs the Bills in two games last year and the Bills sacked him once. He wasn’t under pressure. You can’t blitz him. You need to get to him with 4. It’s not just the Bucs. The Chargers and Miami showed they could do it too. As Beane said too it’s not just mahomes. Every team we play is going to be trying to throw it all over to score a lot of points knowing they need to keep up, need to counter that. Plus Hughes and Addison are gone next year and we starters ready to step in knowing the scheme and with seasoning. I think Addison could be gone after TC if everyone is healthy tbh. Watching him try to contain was painful. 

First, I don't think the Bills spend as much time thinking about how to beat the Chiefs as the fans do.  McBeane think about having the best football team, period.   However, in this case, what the Bills lacked against the Chiefs was one of McDermott's defensive fundamentals:  pressure the QB with four guys.  So, in going after these pass rushers, Beane's keeping his HC happy AND he's preparing for Mahomes. 

 

I haven't read the thread, so I don't know all that's been said.  I'll try to catch up.  First thing I did this morning is watch Beane's presser from last night, and two things stuck out.   One is what we already know - Beane is absolutely about best player available.   Absolutely.  The press keeps asking these need-based questions, and Beane keeps saying we take the best player.  The other thing really speaks to how good they think Basham is.  The Bills had a trade finalized to move back.  They were going to pick up a second third round pick and some other picks, apparently.  With three picks to go, the trade was finalized, but Beane told the other team if his guy was there, the trade was off.  Basham was his guy.  Think about that - he turned down a trade he liked to take a player at a position where he no longer had, strictly speaking, a need.  

 

Lastly, as someone said, the Giants beat the Patriots with a lot of pass rushers all in the lineup, and for two days now we've heard Beane talk about Rousseau and Basham moving inside.  I think McDermott's creative juices are flowing.  

[BillsFan130]

35 minutes ago, Shaw66 said:

First, I don't think the Bills spend as much time thinking about how to beat the Chiefs as the fans do.  McBeane think about having the best football team, period.   However, in this case, what the Bills lacked against the Chiefs was one of McDermott's defensive fundamentals:  pressure the QB with four guys.  So, in going after these pass rushers, Beane's keeping his HC happy AND he's preparing for Mahomes. 

 

I haven't read the thread, so I don't know all that's been said.  I'll try to catch up.  First thing I did this morning is watch Beane's presser from last night, and two things stuck out.   One is what we already know - Beane is absolutely about best player available.   Absolutely.  The press keeps asking these need-based questions, and Beane keeps saying we take the best player.  The other thing really speaks to how good they think Basham is.  The Bills had a trade finalized to move back.  They were going to pick up a second third round pick and some other picks, apparently.  With three picks to go, the trade was finalized, but Beane told the other team if his guy was there, the trade was off.  Basham was his guy.  Think about that - he turned down a trade he liked to take a player at a position where he no longer had, strictly speaking, a need.  

 

Lastly, as someone said, the Giants beat the Patriots with a lot of pass rushers all in the lineup, and for two days now we've heard Beane talk about Rousseau and Basham moving inside.  I think McDermott's creative juices are flowing.  

Interesting. Where did you hear that out of curiosity?

 

 

[Don Otreply]

6 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

Interesting. Where did you hear that out of curiosity?

 

 

I heard it spoken of on this board yesterday iirc

[SCBills]

2 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Way more athletic than Shaq.

 

after watching his YouTube clip, I’m not sure why folks want him inside. Guy is just the kind of athletic freak you want on the edge. 
 

Both guys could start

A lot of us wanted Carl Lawson in FA... this guy gives me those vibes.  

[BillsFan130]

5 minutes ago, Don Otreply said:

I heard it spoken of on this board yesterday iirc

Ya I just found a few sources on Bruce Nolan's twitter account saying the same thing. Interesting.

 

 

Edited May 1, 2021 by BillsFan130

[YoloinOhio]

They just asked Matt Miller on espn which day 2 pick liked the most. He said Kyle trask to Florida and boogie basham to Bills. He said the bills are “building a wall” with that DL and it was great value and identification of a need

1 minute ago, BillsFan130 said:

Ya I just found a few sources on Bruce Nolan's twitter account saying the same thing. Interesting.

 

 

I thought about that too. Not only did Beane double down on the same position but turned down an opportunity for an extra pick. They must have had him that high on their board that the could not pass up the value and player.

[BillsFan130]

1 minute ago, YoloinOhio said:

I thought about that too. Not only did Beane double down on the same position but turned down an opportunity for an extra pick. They must have had him that high on their board that the could not pass up the value and player.

Ya crazy. They must have really liked Basham to turn away I believe it was a 3rd round pick that was reported.

[SCBills]

2 hours ago, Reed83HOF said:

For some reason, I feel like everyone overlooks this very point...

This is true.   I guess we could say the only reason KC shut down our passing game is because every single one of our WR’s were playing hurt...

 

But I do think there’s some “there” there on both accounts. 
 

There’s no guarantee KC’s line, with a bunch of new pieces, is great in pass pro.  
 

There’s a reason why we replaced Brown with Sanders and Beane has mentioned we need to be able to run the ball better.  

 

Regardless of KC, we needed a younger, more freakish pass rush.   If for nothing else to welcome all the new QBs in our division.  
 

We still want to win the AFCE year in/year out.   If Miami is the biggest threat, don’t let Tua get comfortable on drop backs and have giants to knock down quick crossers to Waddle.  

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

7 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

They just asked Matt Miller on espn which day 2 pick liked the most. He said Kyle trask to Florida and boogie basham to Bills. He said the bills are “building a wall” with that DL and it was great value and identification of a need

I thought about that too. Not only did Beane double down on the same position but turned down an opportunity for an extra pick. They must have had him that high on their board that the could not pass up the value and player.

It’s almost the only thing that makes sense, almost like what he suggested in picking Fromm last year, just couldn’t pass it up.

 

Is it possible they Rousseau plays one end and  basham plays the other? 

[Logic]

I said this last night and I'll just repeat it:

Everyone says they love Beane, Beane is a wizard, big baller beane, and all that stuff.....until he doesn't draft the way they want him to draft.

He TOLD us he drafts best player available. He TOLD us he drafts with the future in mind. He TOLD us he used free agency to fill "needs" so that he can just take BPA. And everyone cheered and said "yes! We love it! Beane is the man!". Then the draft started and he passed on players at "need" positions to take BPA and think about the future, and half of Bills Mafia got the pitchforks.

You don't reach for need in the draft and skip better players at less "needed" positions in the process. You ESPECIALLY don't reach for need in the draft and skip better players when you already have a really good roster. And most bizarrely of all -- fixing the pass rush IS a huge need. Arguably the BIGGEST need! So anybody being upset that he addressed it aggressively in this draft is confusing to me. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.

Edited May 1, 2021 by Logic

[Shaw66]

28 minutes ago, BillsFan130 said:

Interesting. Where did you hear that out of curiosity?

 

 

Beane's press conference last night.   The video is on the Bills website.   I was surprised that he was that frank about it.  He was trading out of the pick, and he sounded excited to be able to do it.   But he would trade if Basham was there.  

[Victory Formation]

2 minutes ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

It’s almost the only thing that makes sense, almost like what he suggested in picking Fromm last year, just couldn’t pass it up.

 

Is it possible they Rousseau plays one end and  basham plays the other? 

Eventually. I think you may even see Rousseau/Boogie/Oliver/Hughes in obvious passing situations but long term I think you will see Boogie starting at that RDE spot. Rousseau is probably the starter at LDE week 1. Obviously Epenesa will be another rotational piece as well, but in the end I think Boogie will beat him out as the starter. Boogie is way more versatile and way more gifted.