We continue our series of NFL Draft video profiles, once again looking at a candidate for one of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Day 2 picks in the 2017 NFL Draft. Defensive end is a high priority for Cincinnati and a player should be selected at the position by the end of Round 3.
Ohio University pass rusher Tarell Basham is a guy that I think the Bengals should be giving a good, hard look at as an interesting player who could be worthy of an early pick. He could be a guy that the Bengals can simply let loose to get after opposing quarterbacks and someone who will make plays. That is exactly what the Bengals need with Michael Johnson's play deteriorating and his inability to get after the quarterback with any consistency.
The Bengals have been linked to Basham and attended his pro day at Ohio.
Position: Defensive end
School: Ohio University
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 269 pounds
Arm Length: 34 1/4”
Hands: 10 1/4
40-yard dash: 4.7 seconds
Bench press: 15 reps
Vertical jump: 31 1/2”
Broad jump: 119”
20-yard shuttle: 4.35 seconds
3-cone drill: 7.27 seconds
Basham, despite having gone to a small school, is a very polished pass rusher who can certainly contribute a good amount as a rookie. His drive to improve is something that I like to see in a player, as there is no greater way to predict a player's inability to succeed than if they don’t love football.
It’s clear even when just watching Basham that he has a drive to succeed, and I would love to see that drive in a Bengals uniform in 2017. I think he may be a better Round 3 target and it could be a reach to get him in Round 2, but starting on Day 2, Bengals fans should be monitoring Basham and where he lands.