Taco Charlton isn’t just memorable because he’s got one of the draft’s best names. He also developed from potential-filled backup to pass-rushing force in his four years at Michigan, earning praise from NFL scouts in the process.
Cowboys hope Taco Charlton (and his amazing name) is an amazing NFL pass rusher
The Michigan star grew throughout his collegiate career to become a big-time NFL prospect.
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He parlayed that experience into a premium draft slot at the 2017 NFL draft. The Cowboys, hoping to infuse their edge rush, snapped up the former Wolverine with the 28th pick.
Charlton improved throughout his college career, increasing his total tackle and sack numbers each year. His 10.5 sacks in 11 contests last fall gave him the Big Ten’s best per-game rate.
Is Taco his original name?
Sadly, it isn’t. Charlton’s first name is Vidauntae, but for reasons unclear even to the man himself, he went by “Taco” at an early age. At first, he resisted the lure of his namesake, but he’s come around as age brought wisdom.
“Now, I love tacos all the time,” he told the Detroit News. “Whether it’s Taco Bell or I go make my own tacos or whatever.”
Why did the Cowboys draft Charlton?
The 6’6 Charlton is a long, athletic end capable of collapsing pockets from the corners-in.
He’s a bona fide pass-rushing threat.
Charlton is an aggressive end who uses his size and strength to create leverage and drive offensive tackles backward. While he doesn’t have great long-run speed, he’s twitchy at the line of scrimmage. This allows him to time snaps well and use an explosive first step to knock blockers off balance early.
He can come around the edge:
Or use a tough-to-contain spin move to keep blockers guessing along the tackle box.
He has a high football IQ.
Charlton identifies plays well and takes the most efficient point of attack to eliminate gains. With strong hands and a diverse array of moves, he has several paths to get to the quarterback. Defensive coordinators D.J. Durkin and Don Brown moved him up and down the line to maximize his impact, and though he disappeared at times, he found a way to make his presence felt.
What are the gaps in Charlton’s game?
The former Wolverine isn’t an elite athlete, which will impact his pass rushing in the NFL. His flexibility allowed him to line up against opposing team’s weakest blockers to make the biggest possible impact. He won’t have the same kind of luxury in the pros, where he’ll match up against a different caliber of lineman.
A mediocre performance at the combine underscores concerns about his ability to come around the edge. Charlton ran only a 4.92-second 40-yard dash, and while he dropped that number at Michigan’s pro day, it’s still slow enough to raise eyebrows. If his speed can’t get him to the quarterback, he’ll have to rely on his strength, another skill that doesn’t always translate from college to the pros.
The talent is there. The question is whether the Cowboys can unlock it
Charlton has always been an intriguing prospect. At 6’6 and 277 pounds, he offers prototypical size and strength, with long arms that will be both a nightmare for quarterbacks to pass through and an asset when it comes to blocking kicks.
Dallas needs help along the defensive line. Randy Gregory is facing yet another suspension, and the lack of pass rushers caught up to the Cowboys in the postseason. No Dallas player has had double-digit sacks for the last three seasons. The Cowboys will hope Charlton can change that.
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