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Dallas Cowboys: Can Taco Charlton make an impact this season?

By Tim Kohut

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys cuts around Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Indianapolis Colts in the first half 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: Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys cuts around Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Indianapolis Colts in the first half 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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Can the young Dallas Cowboys’ defensive end and 2017 first round selection Taco Charlton get over the rookie wall and make a real impact this season?

Taco Charlton was far from a glamor pick when the Dallas Cowboys chose him with the 28th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.  However, with a defensive coordinator like Rod Marinelli, and a team with a seemingly solid foundation for a young player, many of us believed he could become a better player than analysts and pundits initially thought.

So far, we are wrong.

Charlton has barely made an impact in Dallas his first season, and his three combined tackles and zero sacks through three games leaves much to be desired. While it remains to be seen whether or not Charlton can relieve Cowboys fans of their T.J. Watt nightmares, perhaps some angst could be removed if the rookie plays better following the Cowboys’ bye week.

With David Irving back in the fold, the Cowboys now have three legitimate pass rushers on their line in Irving, DeMarcus Lawrence and Maliek Collins. While Tyrone Crawford has been solid, he’s never been a pass rushing menace from the defensive end spot, and with Stephen Paea’s sudden retirement, it appears as if the versatile lineman will have to play inside a lot more.

Seemingly, Charlton should have opportunities for some one-on-one battles on the outside, with Irving, Collins, and Lawrence garnering most of the opposing offensive line’s attention. Lawrence is a legitimate threat at right defensive end, while Irving, Collins and even the aforementioned Crawford could wreak havoc in the middle.

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It’s unclear if Charlton could live up to his first-round billing, but on this team going forward, he should have a legitimate chance to make an impact. While his snaps have been down the past few games, there is reason to believe he could see more playing in the incoming weeks, especially after the loss of Paea.

It’s time to right the ship.

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