Bob McGinn - Scout Comments on Taco Charlton

[AsthmaField]

Very true. But conversely Charlton played two years in a 3-4 which he doesn't fit at all.

And FWIW I was one who wanted Barnett in the worst way.

This pick doesn't annoy me.

I thought you might be happy with this pick.

 

[Zordon]

Taco Charlton DE/DL Michigan

TALENT
ROUND 2

STRENGTHS
Taco looks the part of a dominating defensive end for the NFL level. He has the height and length with the long arms and legs to be an excellent pass rusher. He can play in a one gap or two gap systems because of his size and length and long arms to keep opponents away from his body. He has long speed and decent change of direction skills to turn the corner and make a sack. He can split a double team when it calls for it and will make tackles behind the line of scrimmage. With Taco’s size and athletic talent he should be considered one of the top defensive lineman in this draft but remember…it takes more than looks and talent to play in the NFL.

CONCERNS
What will it take for Taco to become the player his talents suggest? I believe it will take a ton of hard work and a cattle prod. Taco is slow off the line, slow to react, slow to the play, slow to get off blocks and shed them, slow to change directions and slow to use his arms constantly to make plays in general. If someone can kick this kid in the *** and motivate him to play with some passion he could be the one of the best lineman in this draft. With what I see on film it is difficult for me to have the trust in this young man to find that passion once he signs an NFL contract. Taco also has to get stronger and take more of a direct line to the QB because he lacks the true foot speed and change of direction skills to be a speed rusher for the next level. He has to become more of a power rusher and learn those skills to succeed. All that will require from him is better use of his hands and some passion to play at his highest level all through the game.

BOTTOM LINE
When Taco uses the correct techniques and keeps players off his body with his long arms he is as good as any defensive lineman I have seen coming out in a draft. The key to his average play is his lack of passion and the lack of using consistent techniques. I’m not suggesting he takes downs off, but I am suggesting that he seems to play most games in a “depressed” state of mind. If I’m a coach I would love to get my hands on this kid to see if I can motivate him to become more of a complete player. As an owner there is no way I give him 1st round money to see if my coaches can prod him to the next level of play.

- Drew Boylhart (The Huddle Report) [PARAPHRASED]

Good lord that is a depressing read.

If a hard *** coach like Harbaugh couldn't bring passion out of him, I'm guessing that's just who he is.

 

[Zordon]

he was and he was always at his best versus the nfc east.

crawford/lawrence combined couldn't give us half the production that ellis did. i hate how he left and how the fanbase disrespects him b/c of moss.

ellis might be our 2nd best dlineman the last 20 years. it's btw him, ratliff, glover, and maybe spencer.

 

[AsthmaField]

Marinelli likes average ** players also. Just saying.

Are you calling me average?

 

[Thomas82]

I'm not thrilled with the pick.

Neither am I.

 

[texbumthelife]

He looks slow a lot because he's raw in anticipating the snap. Marinelli tells everyone to get the hell off the ball all day in practice, if he can improve that part of his game he'll look a lot quicker.

Good insight George. This is true.

 

[perrykemp]

My guess is because Green Bay runs a 34 and this guy is a beat writer for the Packers. IOW, he probably asked most of the scouts how he would be in a 34.

Good point. That makes a lot of sense.

 

[Clarkson]

He can but he is not quick enough to play RDE.

are you basing this off his 40?
he's quick off the ball in games..

 

[Doomsday101]

For me Charlton was one of the guys I like at 28. He was not the only guy, however with Barnett and Harris gone Charlton fit the BPA that filled a need.

 

[ufcrules1]

Good lord that is a depressing read.

If a hard *** coach like Harbaugh couldn't bring passion out of him, I'm guessing that's just who he is.

Yeah, we should have avoided this guy period. Much better players available when we picked. Hey, our defensive line hasn't sucked for forever for no reason though. Our line will be an absolute joke this year. Defense is going to suck big time.


CONCERNS
What will it take for Taco to become the player his talents suggest? I believe it will take a ton of hard work and a cattle prod. Taco is slow off the line, slow to react, slow to the play, slow to get off blocks and shed them, slow to change directions and slow to use his arms constantly to make plays in general. If someone can kick this kid in the *** and motivate him to play with some passion he could be the one of the best lineman in this draft. With what I see on film it is difficult for me to have the trust in this young man to find that passion once he signs an NFL contract. Taco also has to get stronger and take more of a direct line to the QB because he lacks the true foot speed and change of direction skills to be a speed rusher for the next level. He has to become more of a power rusher and learn those skills to succeed. All that will require from him is better use of his hands and some passion to play at his highest level all through the game.

BOTTOM LINE
When Taco uses the correct techniques and keeps players off his body with his long arms he is as good as any defensive lineman I have seen coming out in a draft. The key to his average play is his lack of passion and the lack of using consistent techniques. I’m not suggesting he takes downs off, but I am suggesting that he seems to play most games in a “depressed” state of mind. If I’m a coach I would love to get my hands on this kid to see if I can motivate him to become more of a complete player. As an owner there is no way I give him 1st round money to see if my coaches can prod him to the next level of play.

 

[speedkilz88]

are you basing this off his 40?
he's quick off the ball in games..

Pretty much everyone in the media including Broaddus says he's a LE. Cowboys are going to try him at RE so we will see. I think Marinelli will have to run the Tacos off him much like he did with Tapper last year.

 

[ufcrules1]

crawford/lawrence combined couldn't give us half the production that ellis did. i hate how he left and how the fanbase disrespects him b/c of moss.

ellis might be our 2nd best dlineman the last 20 years. it's btw him, ratliff, glover, and maybe spencer.

Our whole defensive line is made up of below average players. Just such a joke.

 

[Clarkson]

Pretty much everyone in the media including Broaddus says he's a LE. Cowboys are going to try him at RE so we will see. I think Marinelli will have to run the Tacos off him much like he did with Tapper last year.

The team disagrees and I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

 

[waving monkey]

SPARQ is not medical science. It is an unvalidated metric.

it's a tool teams seem to like

 

[waving monkey]

Our whole defensive line is made up of below average players. Just such a joke.

ALL IS LOST, ISN'T IT

 

[ufcrules1]

ALL IS LOST, ISN'T IT

With regards to our defensive line... yes. This is going to be a rough year on defense.

 

[Alexander]

He is a player I liked less the more I watched him. His game against the Buckeyes was incredible. The rest was okay. Certainly was not a player I wanted badly.

 

[Sydla]

Quick question for the experts.

Has there ever been a player taken in the draft where scouts questioned his passion and yet the player went on to be a very good NFL player? Seems, based on the analysis here, that's an impossibility.

 

[JohnsKey19]

crawford/lawrence combined couldn't give us half the production that ellis did. i hate how he left and how the fanbase disrespects him b/c of moss.

ellis might be our 2nd best dlineman the last 20 years. it's btw him, ratliff, glover, and maybe spencer.

Ellis clearly had the best career of those guys listed. Ratliff possibly had the best 2 year stint('08-'09)

 

[tyke1doe]

Funny...I see Greg Ellis is Taco as well. And....contrary to what many here think, Ellis was a good player.

Ellis is forever evaluated based on Randy Moss. Since Randy Moss was superstar, Ellis gets unfairly compared to his standard.