In Tarell Basham, Colts (finally) find a pass rusher
INDIANAPOLIS – The man wanted defense, so the man went out and got himself some defense.
Forty-eight hours and three picks into Chris Ballard’s first NFL Draft as Indianapolis Colts’ general manager, he’s made his intentions unmistakably clear: He’s using this weekend to build the backbone of this franchise’s defense for years to come.
Welcome to town, Quincy Wilson.
Let’s get to work, Tarell Basham.
Ballard spent his second- and third-round picks Friday night on two of the positions this roster desperately needed, grabbing Wilson, a cornerback out of Florida, in the second round and Basham, an outside linebacker out of Ohio, in the third. They come in addition to the Colts taking Malik Hooker with the 15th overall pick Thursday night in Round 1.
“I see they’re trying to get their defense going, and I’m proud to be a part of the new Indianapolis Colts defense,” Basham said Friday night. “I hope that I’m able to come in and make an impact and that you see us in the playoffs this year.”
Basham, at 6-4 and 262 pounds, is a big talent coming from a small school, a player some draft pundits see great value in, especially for a third-round pick. He finished with 38.5 tackles for loss in four years at Ohio and 11.5 sacks as a senior, when he was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year. There’s no doubting his production.
Now it’s time to do it at a much different level.
A 4-3 defensive end in college, Basham confirmed Friday night he’ll switch to the outside linebacker spot in the Colts’ 3-4 scheme, the spot occupied most recently by Robert Mathis.
“We think he can play on three downs,” Ballard said of Basham. “Good size, good length, good strength, good initial quickness, good effort. He’s got the things you look for in a pass rusher.”
Since taking over in late January, Ballard has overhauled nearly the entire defense. “We had some holes that we needed to fill,” Ballard said Friday night. “You all watch the same games I do.” Eleven of the 15 new additions – that’s including free agent signings and all three draft picks – have come on that side of the ball. Ballard wants competition to dot every corner of his roster, and he’ll likely get it: He’s added six new linebackers, three defensive linemen and two defensive backs.
It will, almost assuredly, look and feel like a completely revamped unit come the fall.
“In this league, I’ve been lucky,” Ballard said, stressing his desire for a great defense. “Between Chicago, where we were always good on defense, and in Kansas City, where we were good on defense. It’s a quarterback’s friend. Extra possessions. And defense travels.
“When things aren’t going well, and you have a good defense, it keeps you in ballgames and gives you a chance to win. We’re not there yet. We’ve got work to do. We’ve got four picks tomorrow.”
The Colts have, for years, been desperately trying to find their edge rusher of the future. They drafted Bjoern Werner in the first round in 2013; he was released 6.5 sacks and three years later. They signed Trent Cole in 2015; he lasted two seasons and had little impact. And following Mathis’ retirement in January, the need was never more glaring: The Colts needed someone, anyone, who can get to the quarterback.
The aim is obvious: They hope Basham grows into that role.
He may not solve the issue entirely, but it’s certainly a start.
Ballard, as he is inclined to do, urged caution. He’s taken three defensive players with his first three picks as a general manager. He knows it will take time, and that these soon-to-be rookies will take their lumps. They all do.
“We all want instant coffee and for these to walk in as instant superstars, but it doesn’t work that way,” Ballard said. “They gotta work, they gotta develop and they gotta have the mindset to get through the hard times.”
Basham, in his soft-spoken way, offered a prediction: “You’ll see me on the field making plays very soon,” he said.
Call IndyStar reporter Zak Keefer at (317) 444-6134. Follow him on Twitter: @zkeefer