Even before the uncertainty surrounding Tennessee Titans free-agent acquisition and outside linebacker Vic Beasley popped up, the team was slated to be back in the market for a pass-rusher next offseason anyway.
Beasley was the team’s only addition at EDGE, and he’s on a one-year deal to boot, leaving the Titans with a question mark at the position going into 2021, which is the same boat the team was in going into the 2020 offseason.
With that in mind, Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield has Tennessee drafting Wake Forest EDGE Carlos Basham Jr. at No. 17 overall in his way-too-early 2021 NFL mock draft.
The Tennessee Titans would benefit in adding a pass rusher opposite Harold Landry, and they do just that by selecting the EDGE from Wake Forest. Carlos Basham Jr. posted 18 tackles for a loss and ten sacks a season ago, and is a force against both the run and as a pass rusher.
Watching him on film, you see what you want to see from an EDGE defender. Basham plays the run well and is a plus player in terms of identifying his run fits. He has a solid tool kit of moves off the edge, including a bull rush and a swim move. This would give Tennessee a stout front with Jeffrey Simmons on the inside and Basham/Landry coming off the edges.
While we can argue until we’re blue in the face about the particular draft placement the Titans are getting here, this is a solid pick nonetheless.
Basham Jr. was a stud for the Demon Deacons in 2019, posting 57 tackles (18 for loss) and 10 sacks in 13 games. Of course, we’ll have to keep an eye on how the senior will build off of that in 2020, assuming there is a college football season and he doesn’t opt out.
Here’s a look at some of the pros and cons of Basham Jr., per Joe Marino of The Draft Network.
PROS: Balanced defender with sound ability as a pass rusher and run defender. ID’s blocking schemes quickly, particularly against the run with an understanding of how to counter. Gap-sound defender that understands run fits. Illustrates good rush variety but his best move is the inside rip move. Also features a good spin move, bull rush and club/swim combo. Takes good rush angles and never gets too far up the field. There are plenty of positive reps where he takes a wide-9 alignment, rushes with good tilt and applies pressure. Motor always runs hot. 29 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks and three forced fumbles across 2018 and 2019.
CONS: Modest athlete that isn’t overly sudden, twitchy or flexible. Has plenty of initial rush moves but getting to his counters and fleshing out his secondary/ancillary moves is needed. Wish there was more pop in his hands and a bit more functional strength at the point of attack, particularly when anchoring against down blocks. Has challenges clearing his pads once the blockers hands are fit.
Aside from looking at EDGE in the first round, the Titans could also consider taking a wide receiver, cornerback or defensive lineman, to name a few other possibilities with their first pick. We won’t really know for sure what’s in the cards for Tennessee in next year’s draft until the 2020 season plays out.
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