Dallas Cowboys won’t hold the train for Taco Charlton

As the Dallas Cowboys former first round selection back in 2017, draft status will no longer automatically earn Taco Charlton a roster spot.

For some, the 2019 NFL Draft undoubtedly reminded them of the Dallas Cowboys‘ recent successes in the first round. The Cowboys’ top selections in 2013 (Travis Frederick, center), 2014 (Zack Martin, guard), 2015 (Byron Jones, cornerback), 2016 (Ezekiel Elliott, running back) and 2018 (Leighton Vander Esch, linebacker) have all become Pro Bowlers.

And then there’s 2017. With the 28th overall selection in that draft, the Cowboys selected a developmental defensive end out of Michigan named Taco Charlton. Enamored with his size (6-6, 270), Dallas hoped Charlton would eventually grow into a War Daddy role in Big D. Unfortunately, Taco has only been able to rack up 4.0 sacks in two seasons and was even a healthy scratch at one point last year.

Season three. That’s always been a barometer for player growth in the NFL. For someone like Charlton, it appears to be a make-or-break year for the young defensive end.

Here’s what Cowboys’ vice president of player personnel Will McClay told 133.3 ESPN (via @JonMachota in Twitter) during a recent radio interview about Charlton.

"“I’m expecting Taco to strap on his pads, put on his helmet and go out there and compete every day to prove that he belongs on this roster. The injury and all those things, he’s going to have to overcome that and be available … But you know what? We’re not going to hold the train for anybody. If you want to compete and roll down with us, here it is.”"

This offseason has been great for the Cowboys’ roster, but terrible for Charlton. Dallas added veteran pass rusher Robert Quinn via a trade with the Miami Dolphins. The team inked premier defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence to a massive five-year, $105 million contract extension. And they added defensive ends Joe Jackson and Jalen Jelks in the draft.

Let’s not forget 2018 fourth rounder Dorance Armstrong, who is in the mix at defensive end as well. Along with veteran Tyrone Crawford and Shakir Soto, a star from the now defunct Alliance of American Football (AAF), the Cowboys are suddenly stacked at position.

That’s not even including last year’s surprise performance from Randy Gregory, who could overcome his latest drug-related suspension quickly. Free agents Kerry Hyder Jr. and Christian Covington can also play outside, but both are expected to compete at defensive tackle.

The fact is Taco Charlton is facing more competition than ever in 2019. And he’s skated by on his lofty draft status for two-straight seasons in Dallas. But according to Will McClay, that will not be the case in Year Three. It’s finally sink or swim for young Mr. Charlton.