New York Giants 2024 Training Camp Preview: OLB/DE Boogie Basham
Will the four-man defensive front allow Basham to be a valuable defensive line rotational player in 2024?
The New York Giants hired former Tennessee Titans Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen after Wink Martindale resigned his post. When Martindale walked out the door, so too did his blitzing, aggressive style of defense, including his 30-front defense.
This means there will be some position adjustments for some of the players on the team, such as edge rusher Boogie Basham, a player the Giants acquired via trade last summer from the Buffalo Bills.
Of all the outside linebackers or “edge” guys from last season’s roster, Basham is probably the most physically suited to play a true defensive end position. At 6-3 and 274 pounds, he has the anchor you want at the position.
Basham could be the perfect guy to spell Brian Burns on the strong side. This will allow Azeez Ojulari to back up Kayvon Thibodeaux and come in on pass rushing sub packages.
Basham does not possess the twitchiness and explosion of the other defensive ends or edge rushers on the team. Besides those mentioned, Tomon Fox is also another edge that showed a higher level of explosion when he was afforded more snaps in 2022.
It would also be good if Basham could show that he can move inside on obvious passing downs as well since this can increase his value to the defense and help keep others fresh.
Defensive line depth will be critical to the success of the Giants’ defense this season and for the foreseeable future. The only way that holds up is if the Basham and others play up to their natural abilities.
It is safe to say he has not lived up to his full potential over his first three seasons in the league. The most disappointing thing about his performance is that he has not seen the 35.5 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks that he amassed at Wake Forest follow him to the NFL.
This is a pivotal season in Basham’s development and a change in scheme that should allow him to play a position that he’s better suited for. This also marks a significant season for Basham to prove that he can be a defensive line mainstay
