BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – After going with a defensive end in the first round, the Bills went back to the D-line in round number two. They selected Wake Forest defensive end Carlos “Boogie” Basham Jr. with the 61st overall selection.
Basham liked what he saw from the Bills defense, and his knowledge of the team came from an interesting source.
“Even when I play Madden I play with the Bills,” Basham said. “That defense is just something that I really love and I’m glad I’m a part of it now. That was the main thing I was thinking about when it was going through my head like this is a dream finally come true, things are starting to just take over.”
The ACC defensive lineman had a solid final two years in school. He finished 2019 with 11 sacks and forced 3 fumbles. Then this past year he had 5 sacks in just 7 games. Basham opened eyes again at his pro day when he ran a 4.59 40-yard dash.
He played in a 4-3 defense at Wake Forest, similar to what the Bills run. He describes himself as a “chess piece,” and one that can play at any position on the line.
“Some guys really like going inside playing three-technique or playing over the nose, but for me I take pride in it’s another chance to get better, another chance to go out there and compete, so that I pride myself to play,” Basham said.
Basham joins Gregory Rousseau, the first round pick out of Miami, as another player to bolster the defensive line, an area the Bills needed to improve after finishing 15th last season in sacks on defense.
“[The Bills] definitely said they love the way I play,” Basham said. “Being inside out and versatile, that’s a great thing they look for in their players.”
Basham is also ready to join the Buffalo scene. He said the fans can expect to see a guy that loves football.
“Regardless of where I play on the field I’m going to give it my all, someone who loves fans someone who loves talking to the fans, just doing whatever, someone who is not going to Chi way from the other side of football,” Basham said. “The fans are pretty much everything and they bring the juice to the game. I just love football, I love the fans and I’m just ready to get started.”
Buffalo picks again in the third round, the 93rd overall selection.
