Tarell

Basham

Basham has had 3.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons, but played only 26 defensive snaps for the Cowboys after falling behind the rest of the unit. He could be claimed on waivers by a team interested in pass rushers.

Basham has been out since suffering a thigh injury in Week 1. Dallas’ pass rush has remained dangerous without him, and Basham’s return will only help that unit. The Cowboys are a great DST option this week against the Packers.

Basham was carried off the field by the athletic staff, and reportedly left for the locker room in pain. He had one quarterback hit before leaving. It’s a hit to the depth of the Cowboys pass rush if he’s out for a longer period of time.

Basham (6’4/269) took home 2016 MAC Defensive Player of the Year after setting a school record for career sacks (29.5) as a four-year starter at defensive end. PFF College charted Basham with the fifth most QB hurries (71) in the nation as a senior. With plus arm length (34 ¼") and big hands (10 ¼"), Basham demonstrated physical edge-setting ability in run defense and powerful pocket-pushing skills on tape. An above-average athlete with 4.70 speed, Basham’s concerns include a straight-line game and lack of pass-rush variety. While Basham has some long-term limitations, he is a good football player with an NFL body. He has a chance to develop into a quality starter in the Trey Flowers mold.

The Colts now have all eight draft picks under contract. A star edge rusher at Ohio, Basham has the skill set to be a productive NFL starter, though it may not happen in year one.

Basham had a lackluster rookie season, recording two sacks in 220 snaps, but he has reportedly looked more comfortable in his natural 4-3 end spot this offseason. “He looks a lot better, man,” fellow starting DE Jabaal Sheard said. “He looks more focused, more driven, and he’s working harder.” Basham making a sophomore leap would be a big boost for a defense in need of pass-rush help.