Cowboys' first-round bust finally living up to the hype but in a different league

The Dallas Cowboys are the gold standard of the NFL when it comes to drafting and developing homegrown players. Their hit rate in the draft is outstanding and they more often than not sign their picks to second contracts.

Granted, the Cowboys typically wait until the last minute to extend their stars, but there's something to be said that they continually hit on draft picks. Of course, their batting average isn't perfect. The 2023 draft class in particular looks like one of the worst in recent Dallas history after one year.

First- and second-round picks Mazi Smith and Luke Schoonmaker face pivotal second seasons and the draft class as a whole contributed almost nothing in 2023. Though disappointments thus far, Smith and Schoonmaker have some ways to go before they can be labeled busts.

When you think of the poster children for the Cowboys' greatest draft busts in recent history, 2017 first-round pick Taco Charlton is a name that springs to mind. Though Charlton isn't currently in the NFL, he's quietly made a name for himself with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League.

Former Cowboys first-round pick Taco Charlton starring in UFL

Charlton didn't make the All-UFL Team this season, but he put together a strong campaign. His six sacks were tied for fourth-most in the league and he finished top-15 with five tackles for loss. One of those QB takedowns helped clinch a big win for Birmingham.

Clinging to a 20-13 lead with 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter against the Michigan Panthers, Charlton broke through with a sack on 4th and 6 to seal the win. The Panthers were inside the red zone and needed only a touchdown to tie the game.

Charlton lasted just two seasons in Dallas. He was released in 2019 after the Cowboys failed to find a trade parter. It wasn't a pretty breakup. Desperate to get out, Charlton tweeted "Free me" after he was a healthy scratch for the first two games that season. The team granted his wish a few days later.

In total, Charlton made 27 appearances (seven starts) for the Cowboys. He logged four sacks, eight tackles for loss and a forced fumble. By the end of his Dallas tenure, he was a healthy scratch in four of the last six games dating back to 2018.

The former No. 28 overall pick made stops with the Dolphins, Chiefs, Steelers and most recently the Bears in 2022 before he signed with Birmingham.

Charlton unfortunately will never be able to shed the dreaded "bust" label. Even if he doesn't get another shot in the NFL, it's very cool see him bounce back in the UFL following his toxic stint in Dallas.

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