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The Cincinnati Bengals attended Ohio pro day this week where defensive end Tarell Basham put his talents on display in front of dozens of NFL scouts and coaches.
Now, there’s a report out that the Bengals are targeting Basham in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Per Tony Pauline of Draft Analyst:
Last week I was informed Tarell Basham of Ohio and Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon were second-round targets for the Bengals.
The 2016 MAC defensive player of the year and first-team All-MAC pick, Basham is Ohio's all-time sack leader (29) after spending four years in Athens. In 2016, he had 50 tackles (30 solo), 11.5 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 passes defended.
In 2015, he recorded 43 tackles (10 tackles for loss) and 5.5 sacks in 11 games. He was named to the Hendricks Award Midseason Watch List in 2014 and started in 7 games that year (played in 12), he totaled 33 tackles, including 15 solo stops and six for loss while also having 4.5 sacks. In his freshman season he was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America Team after starting in five games (played in 13) and totaling 32 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 pass breakup. He also spent a year at Hargrove Military Academy prior to attending Ohio.
Measurables:
Height: 6' 4"
Weight: 269 lbs
Arm Length: 34¼"
Hand Size: 10¼"
40 Yard Dash: 4.7s
Vertical Jump: 31½"
Broad Jump: 119"
3-Cone Drill: 7.27s
20 Yard Shuttle: 4.35s
Bench Press: 15 reps
Basham led the MAC in sacks in 2016 and ranks fourth all-time in the category among the MAC. He also ranks 12th all-time in the MAC in tackles for loss. (Note: MAC records are since 2005.)
He's an athletic pass rusher who was a sack machine in college and could help the Bengals' defensive line in getting to the quarterback. He's instinctive, known for being a quality tackler and has high upside, despite playing against often-inferior MAC talent. If the Bengals feel he’s the best defensive end available in Round 2, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear his name called when Cincinnati is on the clock for the 41st overall pick. The Bengals badly need help at defensive end and it’s expected the team will draft more than one player at the position this April.