The scouting report on Taco is much different than what many people are claiming

[Sarge]

...and was the 8th defensive lineman taken in the draft because he disappeared from games in college.

Considered by most scouts as a 3-4 defensive end.

He "disappeared" more because of the scheme and what he was asked to do.

 

[erod]

He "disappeared" more because of the scheme and what he was asked to do.

I hope so. This was Marinelli's pick.

All reports say they really wanted Tak McKinley bad. Taco was the consolation prize.

 

[Verdict]

The scouting report on Taco is much different than what many people are claiming:

From NFL.com:
Rare combination of size, length and athletic traits as a rusher. Long-levered frame with athletic, knotted calves. Brings freaky athletic traits to table and is still growing into his body. Flashes instant reaction time off snap and up the field thanks to his twitch. Has enough upfield juice to push offensive tackles into hasty retreat. Generates pop through speed-to-power element. Very good flexibility throughout. Able to sink and swerve around corner if he gets early lead in race to the edge. Possesses hip swivel combined with shoulder turn to slip and flip around the corner of an offensive tackle he's engaged with as a pass rusher. Rushes with forward lean that keeps his momentum downhill. Uses rip-and-stab move and an ominous spin move that could turn into a dominant rush trait in the NFL. Elongated lateral slides can open into sprint very quickly to chase run play bouncing outside. Length gives him a shot at dramatically increasing his play-making ability against the run. Hand usage is improving.

I like all of that, but my guess is that was pre-draft scouting on Taco. Obviously that scouting report doesn't say how pedestrian his 40 times were. I know a slow 40 time doesn't mean he can't be an effective pass rusher, per se, but its obviously not as good of an arrow pointing up as a fast 40 time like D. Ware had.

At this point, pre draft scouting reports mean little, since we have already pulled the trigger and spent a first rounder on him. I think this pre draft report means less than what we are hearing so far out of training camp which so far seem to be mostly that he has pretty much been man handled by the OL early on. Of course this team's OL is very good, so that factors in as well.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Obviously that scouting report doesn't say how pedestrian his 40 times were

4.7 40 time on his pro day. Remember he's 277 lbs.

 

[jazzcat22]

...and was the 8th defensive lineman taken in the draft because he disappeared from games in college.

Considered by most scouts as a 3-4 defensive end.

That is because he plated in. A3-4 system before they switched to a 4-3, where he had only 1 year in to learn.
So yes most scouts will go with the 3-4 perspective. Or fans with an agenda. LOL.

8th DE in a heavy DE draft class.....that's is like saying Dan Marino was the 6th QB taken in a deep QB class so he can't be all that good.....and why did Dan last so long....
No, I am not saying he is all that great, but can we wait a few years to see how it plays out.

 

[Verdict]

When Willie McGinnest was interviewing Jerry a few night sago. He asked about Taco, what they seen and liked.
Jerry said, and yes Jerry knows more about football and his players than we all think we do...he said, Taco, for his size has great balance. and he meant balance of his body in relation to itself. For his size, height and such, his arm length and all that is proportional and he has great flexibility for that.

or something to this effect anyway

Oh come on now. If you are going to quote Jerry, at least get it right!! You didn't include any lip smacks or ums in your paraphrasing, so how can you be taken seriously!!

 

[Verdict]

4.7 40 time on his pro day. Remember he's 277 lbs.

He mostly ran in the mid 4.8s.

 

[Verdict]

That is because he plated in. A3-4 system before they switched to a 4-3, where he had only 1 year in to learn.
So yes most scouts will go with the 3-4 perspective. Or fans with an agenda. LOL.

8th DE in a heavy DE draft class.....that's is like saying Dan Marino was the 6th QB taken in a deep QB class so he can't be all that good.....and why did Dan last so long....
No, I am not saying he is all that great, but can we wait a few years to see how it plays out.

Actually he might have projected as a better 3-4 end than a 4-3 end. He may have been an elite 3-4 end.

 

[ufcrules1]

I hope this dude isn't a big fat bust.

 

[Montanalo]

The scouting report on Taco is much different than what many people are claiming:

From NFL.com:
Rare combination of size, length and athletic traits as a rusher. Long-levered frame with athletic, knotted calves. Brings freaky athletic traits to table and is still growing into his body. Flashes instant reaction time off snap and up the field thanks to his twitch. Has enough upfield juice to push offensive tackles into hasty retreat. Generates pop through speed-to-power element. Very good flexibility throughout. Able to sink and swerve around corner if he gets early lead in race to the edge. Possesses hip swivel combined with shoulder turn to slip and flip around the corner of an offensive tackle he's engaged with as a pass rusher. Rushes with forward lean that keeps his momentum downhill. Uses rip-and-stab move and an ominous spin move that could turn into a dominant rush trait in the NFL. Elongated lateral slides can open into sprint very quickly to chase run play bouncing outside. Length gives him a shot at dramatically increasing his play-making ability against the run. Hand usage is improving.

Thank you for sharing, XWalker. I recognize this is a single scouting evaluation, but it is not an isolated view of Taco. Similar evaluations (as well as those a little less positive) were offered throughout the draft process. It is interesting that there is such discussion regarding Taco after only a few days of training camp. The proof is in the pudding as they say... training camp and the preseason games will provide a much better view. Besides, he is probably earning a graduate degree going against Smith and Collins which will only make him a better player down the road.

 

[Proof]

To be fair, he is going against a completely different level of talent now versus what he was when the scout wrote this.

and he'll be playing against a lesser level of talent during the season

 

[Doomsday101]

of course. i think any fan of the team wants him to be good, but some of us just say "been down this road, its going to be iffy" both are fine. but yes hes up against a heck of a line. i personally agree with most fans on here, gotta give it time. Do i personally think hes going to be the next best thing, no. I do feel he ll be capable in due time with maybe a flash here and there, who knows i could be wrong.

Every player in draft is iffy there are no sure things in the NFL draft. Charlton was a projected 1st rd pick how will his career fair I can't say. I think he has the tools and if he can show the work ethic he will give himself a chance at being a star player. Notice I only say he gives himself a chance by putting in the work.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I predict an Ebenezer Ekuban type player or Greg Ellis top end. I predict a career of possibly 7-9 years.

Hopefully I'm wrong in that he ends up a better player, but there is a good chance he may not even reach that.

 

[hairic]

I agree with this scouting report more than the memes that were posted when he was drafted. His first step timed with reach should cause plenty of issues for OTs once he gets more NFL strength training, along with quick enough feet as long as they stay under him. Just don't expect him to change direction once he's chasing a play or something. From what I saw, he looked like Greg Ellis did when he covered Wes Welker.

I like him much more than I did Lawrence; I felt a little sad after watching some of his Boise stuff. Taco's tape was much more encouraging.

 

[WhizKid]

15 sacks as a rookie or bust! Get it together, Taco.

 

[xwalker]

He mostly ran in the mid 4.8s.

Similar forty to Greg Hardy, Terrell Suggs...

There are very few humans that weight 277 and run sub 4.7 forties.

Ware, Von Miller, etc.. weighed significantly less.

 

[xwalker]

I hope so. This was Marinelli's pick.

All reports say they really wanted Tak McKinley bad. Taco was the consolation prize.

What reports? I saw massive speculation but I don't recall any legit reports.

 

[xwalker]

I like all of that, but my guess is that was pre-draft scouting on Taco. Obviously that scouting report doesn't say how pedestrian his 40 times were. I know a slow 40 time doesn't mean he can't be an effective pass rusher, per se, but its obviously not as good of an arrow pointing up as a fast 40 time like D. Ware had.

At this point, pre draft scouting reports mean little, since we have already pulled the trigger and spent a first rounder on him. I think this pre draft report means less than what we are hearing so far out of training camp which so far seem to be mostly that he has pretty much been man handled by the OL early on. Of course this team's OL is very good, so that factors in as well.

Ware weighed 251.

Taco weighed 277.

That's a 26 pound difference.

No player in history has weighed over 270 and ran as fast as Ware.

Terrell Suggs ran a 4.84 forty.

Greg Hardy was at one time arguably the best 4-3 DE in the league. He ran a 4.96 forty at the combine.

 

[Verdict]

Similar forty to Greg Hardy, Terrell Suggs...

There are very few humans that weight 277 and run sub 4.7 forties.

Ware, Von Miller, etc.. weighed significantly less.

Actually Ware ran in the 4.5 range at over 270. He was a freak of nature.

 

[Verdict]

Ware weighed 251.

Taco weighed 277.

That's a 26 pound difference.

No player in history has weighed over 270 and ran as fast as Ware.

Terrell Suggs ran a 4.84 forty.

Greg Hardy was at one time arguably the best 4-3 DE in the league. He ran a 4.96 forty at the combine.

I am not knocking your comparisons. They are just not necessarily pursuasive. His measurables are probably inferior to Victor Butler and Victor Butler totally sucked. I realize time will tell the tale on this. I honestly hope you are right on this one. I just don't get a warm fuzzy feeling about this pick as a right DE.

I do think his floor is probably a serviceable left DE who is strong against the run, but you can get guys like that in the 3rd or 4th round. I really think we probably reached with this pick.