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We’re at the very early stages of the Bills’ 2021 offseason, but some changes along their defensive front has become an early expectation.
After watching the Chiefs run wild at Bills quarterback Josh Allen in the AFC title game, only to have the Bucs turn the tables on them in Super Bowl LV, it became clear the Bills themselves lack in talent along the defensive line by comparison. NFL.com has suggested a potential remedy for this via analyst Bucky Brooks.
In a 2021 NFL Drat mock, Wake Forest pass rusher Carolos Basham Jr.is sent to the Bills at the No. 30 overall pick.
Here’s the selection breakdown:
The Bills’ need for more speed and athleticism on defense could make the ultra-active Basham an intriguing option. The Wake Forest standout is an impressive pass rusher with an explosive first step and violent hands.
The Bills are fresh off their top-overall selection in the most-recent draft in 2020 being in the exact same position group. That player taken was AJ Epenesa, a second rounder. However, doing so in back-to-back drafts does make sense for Buffalo.
The NFL salary cap in 2021 is currently up in the air because of financial difficulties caused by COVID-19 this past year for the league. The cap could be set anywhere between $175-185 million.
The Bills sit right around the $180-185M area and where could they make cuts to free up cap space? Their defensive line. Players such as Jerry Hughes, Quinton Jefferson, Mario Addison and Vernon Butler could all give the Bills several million in additional cap space.
That’s not to say every single guy should be cut as Hughes as recently was named a top-five pass rusher in the entire league in 2020 by Pro Football Focus… but there are decisions that need to be made. If this turns out to be an area where Bills general manager Brandon Beane wants to make cuts, a first-round pick filling the hole left behind could be likely.
And Basham could fit the bill.
According to The Draft Network, Basham, a 6-foot-3, 281-pound prospect, is a pass rusher that is better suited for a 4-3 scheme, such as the one Buffalo plays under head coach Sean McDermott.
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