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Dallas Cowboys 2017 NFL Draft: Five Defensive End Prospects

By Ronald Smith

Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back James White (20) is tackled by defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes (47) and defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) and linebacker Jayon Brown (12) during a game at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back James White (20) is tackled by defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes (47) and defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) and linebacker Jayon Brown (12) during a game at Kyle Field. Texas A&M won in overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) rushes the passer against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Taco Charlton (33) rushes the passer against the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

 Vidauntae “Taco” Charlton, DE – Michigan

Strengths

Taco Charlton’s game film shows a very well rounded defensive lineman.  He is at his best when he is speed rushing, routinely beating offensive lineman around the edge.  Does a good job setting up tackles with this speed and switches up with two very polished moves, a counter to the inside and a spin move.  That’s not it though, he has an effective bull rush as well.

One of Taco’s best natural traits is his great length, standing a towering 6’6″ tall.  Best part of that length is that Charlton uses it and uses it well, at least in the run game.  He has an initial punch, putting his long arms to use to keep defenders off his body.  The fact that he keeps  a low pad level as well really makes him hard to stay in front of.

Weaknesses

Despite his natural speed Taco’s reaction to the snap is disappointingly slow.  On film he hardly ever fires off the snap like the quick twitch defensive ends do.  He will need to get out of his stance considerably faster, and with consistency, to be the focus of an offense’s  game plan in the NFL.

Speaking of consistency.  That natural length and great punch that he Charlton uses in the run game all but disappears when he is rushing the passer.  He relies much more on speed moves and counters than he does on hand fighting.  He also isn’t as agile as some of the elite pass rushers; he wont bend around the corner like DeMarcus Ware, for instance.

Outlook for the Dallas Cowboys

I think there is a very good chance Taco is still on the board when the Cowboys go on the clock.  He has enough of the physical traits to be a very good defensive end.  His upside is obvious;  he posses excellent size, strength and speed.  More than that he is a high motor guy, willing to play the pass as well as the run.

Charlton is an unfinished and inconsistent product that needs to be trained, no drilled, on technique.   He requires a ton of work in two very key aspects of playing defensive end.  The first is of course his get off, once he blows off the snap with regularity it will take his game to the next level.  The second is his hand usage, if that can be addressed as well he can reach his potential and make for a cornerstone defensive end.

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