The forgotten draft pick

[jrumann59]

I'm viewing Taco as another potential DLaw situation, in that DLaw took several years to finally get it. We just have to hope it doesn't take as long on Taco.

That is the nature of the DE position. In college most got by with raw athletic talent. In the NFL you cant, throw in the lack of proper strength and conditioning before stepping on the field most college DE are at a disadvantage. Most need 2-3 years in a NFL strength and conditioning regime plus coaching to use more than one move effectively. DEs are like prospect pitchers they need a few years to season before they can be called anything.

 

[Blackspider214]

Taco played much better as the season went on.

I think he will at least be a solid DE. Maybe never a star. Maybe never a 10+ sack guy. But an overall god defensive end.

Overall good defensive ends don't warrant a 1st round pick. You can find those in the middle rounds and beyond. Taco is JAG.

 

[Verdict]

Not really. He was a speed bump against the run, and his pass rush was more about offensive mistakes than anything dominant.

But a real offseason in the weight room and with Marinelli has done wonders for other guys, so we'll see.

Taco was soft, soggy and bland.

 

[Motown12]

For where he was drafted...I'm fine with if he's either a solid rotational guy or a starter in this league. I think people wanted a "war daddy". Cowboys didn't have that shot where they were drafting there.

That being said....he's young. I don't know what he will become. But it was premature for fans or anyone to write him off and people did it after 3 games.

It seems like all of the DE's the Cowboys wanted started coming off the board midway through the first round. Atlanta trading up to take TM a few picks before the Cowboys pick kind of messed up their plans if I had to guess. I'm rooting for Taco like everyone else but he is not a LDE only IMO so I can't see him being anything more than a rotational player. This team really needs a RDE which we would of had if not for Randy Gregory refusing to put down the hippie lettuce.

 

[Diehardblues]

I agree Erod. If Taco pans out a huge difference.

But I'd still be looking to use our 1st round pick on another DL or pressure type LB.

We can’t count on Taco playing at a high level and we know all too well with Ware that one pressuring DL isn’t enough,

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

It seems like all of the DE's the Cowboys wanted started coming off the board midway through the first round. Atlanta trading up to take TM a few picks before the Cowboys pick kind of messed up their plans if I had to guess. I'm rooting for Taco like everyone else but he is not a LDE only IMO so I can't see him being anything more than a rotational player. This team really needs a RDE which we would of had if not for Randy Gregory refusing to put down the hippie lettuce.

Well that's another thing. If Barnett or Takk there I would've been more upset by the Taco pick. All were gone.

 

[thisiscowboyscountry]

May never be a superstar but if he turns into a guy you can count on that gets 7 or 8 sacks a season I would be fine with that.

 

[reddyuta]

i will go on record saying Taco will have more sacks than tank at the end of their respective rookie contracts.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Measurable Measurement %tile

Chandler Jones
Height 6' 5" 78
Weight 266 lbs 45
Arm Length 35½" 94
Hand Size 9¾" 38
40 Yard Dash 4.87s 39
Vertical Jump 35" 74
Broad Jump 120" 78
3-Cone Drill 7.07s 77
20 Yard Shuttle 4.38s 61
Bench Press 22 reps 38

Taco Charlton
Height 6' 6" 91
Weight 277 lbs 75
Arm Length 34¼" 74
Hand Size 9¾" 38
40 Yard Dash 4.92s 27
Vertical Jump 33" 50
Broad Jump 116" 60
3-Cone Drill 7.17s 64
20 Yard Shuttle 4.39s 54
Bench Press 25 reps 64

The bench press # is surprising. He appeared to be a somewhat weak for his size. Should be better with improved power to his game next season.

 

[cern]

best way for taco to succeed will be to have him on the field with Lawrence, irving, and Collins/tapper at the same time.

 

[cern]

Since he said stupid Taco sack celebrations, can we say really stupid premature drubbing on Taco?

i'm a lot more interested in what Lawrence and irving did last year, and even moreso this coming year. who cares about 3 years ago. there is a definite upside to taco. his improvement as the season wore on met the bill parcells standard of "believe your eyes". but i'll never change my opinion that a first round pick should be an immediate starter and contributor.

 

[BobSacamano]

The bench press # is surprising. He appeared to be a somewhat weak for his size. Should be better with improved power to his game next season.

Technique trumps all. If you're running at a certain leverage or non leverage and a guy hits you just so; you're going off balance. Doesn't even have to be by a guy who outweighs you by 20+ pounds.

 

[zrinkill]

He had better production in 14 games than Gregory did.

Yet people call him a bust after one year and pretend Gregory could be SAVIOR after 3 years of nothing.

 

[Section446]

Won't be on the team in two years, bum.

 

[DFWJC]

Would never look past drafting a DE, but also, just looking at all the youth on the dline and secondary, you have to think a linebacker will be in mix sometime in the first 3 rounds if the value presents itself.

 

[northerncowboynation]

Damn I thought this thread was about Tapper

 

[darthseinfeld]

I was dadgum hard on Taco Charlton last year. Lots of us were. He wasn't worthy of that draft position, I still contend, and he looked weak and overmatched, like an undrafted free agent might.

Nobody talks about him. He's kind of already been tossed into the Kavika Pittman file to keep company with Shante and Ebennezer. Many of us turned that page in bustful disgust.

But......if.

If that guy turns into a real player worthy of his draft position, then the entirety of this defense could change. Add a LB and DT in the early rounds, sign a safety in free agency, and with the sudden promise in the secondary, things could get far more interesting on that side of the ball.

Geez, I'd like to see real defense played here again. It's been a hundred years.

Jaylon Smith's recovery and improvement is also key, but Taco could hold the key to it all. You add a bookend opposite of Demarcus Lawrence, who's the happiest franchise tag in NFL history, and you really be on to something here.

But........if. I don't like "ifs" but maybe this one will be different.

People have been talking about Taco. He had very effective last 6 games of the year and alot of people have come around.

His rookie year was typical of a 1st round DE. People that didn't like the pick were quick to thump there chest when he didnt fire out of the gates. Thosr labeling him a bust after half a season where ridiculously pre mature

 

[texbumthelife]

Thread makes no damn sense. He's being talked about all over the place.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Since he said stupid Taco sack celebrations, can we say really stupid premature drubbing on Taco?

And erroneously said it was against 3rd stringers

 

[buybuydandavis]

He came in worse than expected, but made progress during the season. I don't think anyone has forgotten him. He's probably our main rotational DE this year, behind Crawford and Lawrence.