The Landry Hat
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Dallas Cowboys vs. Raiders: 5 players to watch

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Jaylon Smith #54 of the Dallas Cowboys and Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate on the sidelines after Smith's tackle against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Jaylon Smith #54 of the Dallas Cowboys and Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate on the sidelines after Smith's tackle against the Indianapolis Colts in the first quarter of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 11: Charles Tapper #91 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl on October 11, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – OCTOBER 11: Charles Tapper #91 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Cotton Bowl on October 11, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

CHARLES TAPPER, DEFENSIVE END

As a 2016 fourth round selection, Oklahoma defensive end Charles Tapper is in no danger of losing his job in Dallas. Especially considering the former Sooner didn’t play last season do to the discovery of a birth defect in his back (L5 pars defect).

Now healthy, Tapper is essentially a rookie in his second season, trying to adjust to the NFL game after spending well over a year without playing actual football. And the 24-year old has looked quick against lower end talent this preseason.

But due to suspensions at his position, the Cowboys are going to need Tapper to step up as a situational pass rusher when the regular season kicks off. And Saturday’s game against the Oakland Raiders could be a good test for where the 24-year old is in his development.

Tapper possess a blazing first step, as the 6-foot-2, 270 pound defensive lineman recorded the highest SPARQ score for his position at the NFL Scouting Combine last year posting a 4.59 forty.

When the Cowboys drafted Tapper last year, they did so in large part due to his traits. Now Dallas needs him to use those unique physical tools to become a consistent and effective pass rusher. #99’s continued development makes him one to watch.

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