Redskins Draft Special Round 3 (Pick 81)

This could be a pick the Redskins package into a Draft Day trade.  There is a lot of talent around this part of the Draft, and there are a lot of directions the Redskins could go if they decide to stay at 81.  Here is someone who could be an intriguing project for the Redskins to get in the 3rd round.

Note: All scouting information comes from CBS Sports, NFL Combine Results Page, and the NFL Draft Tracker.

Round 3 (81st Overall Selection):  Tarell Basham    DE    (Ohio)
Height: 6'4"   Weight: 269 lbs   40 yd: 4.70   Vert: 31.5"

Tarell Basham is a prototypical NFL Defensive End that started all four years for Ohio and recorded a school record 29 sacks over that time.  His best season came in 2016 where he had 16 TFL and 11.5 sacks en route to being named The 2016 Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Year.  Scouts note that Basham is quick in short bursts, which allows him to close on running backs and scrambling quarterbacks.  Basham also has long arms and a high motor that he uses to never give up on a play, and he has good spatial awareness that allows him to avoid cut blocks and even drop into coverage at times.  The Ohio coaches also raved about his infectious personality and work ethic that allowed him to evolve as a football player.  Basham does not come without limitations, most notably his surprising 15 reps on the bench at the combine.  Being overpowered by strength at the NFL level is a major concern, and there are questions about his stats being a product of the level of competition Basham faced in the MAC. Basham still has room to grow in the area of diversifying his pass rushing skills, and there is uncertainty as to whether he can enhance his play style in order to beat NFL level lineman.  As the saying goes, though, you can't teach speed/quickness, and the Redskins could get someone they could develop into a solid NFL pass rusher.

The Redskins need edge rushers, and they could get a guy with that type of speed and quickness in Basham.  The depth along the defensive line needs to be bolstered, and Basham could inject youth, work ethic, and talent into that group.  The Redskins need to give teams other people to worry about pressuring the quarterback other than Ryan Kerrigan, and Basham's college stats indicate that he could be that guy.  While his strength and rawness may give teams pause, his speed, quickness, and instincts should prompt the Redskins strength coaches to develop a plan to get him game ready by September.  Basham could be the guy who backs up Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee while learning the facets of the NFL game.  The Redskins need help in their defensive front, and while some scouts say that Basham could fall to the lower rounds, the Redskins may not want to take that chance.