I think the Cowboys were lucky so many offensive players went in the top half of the draft, because it pushed defensive players down.
Taco Charlton fell to the club at the 28th pick in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Pro Football Focus' mock draft was the only one I read that had him going to Dallas.
I spoke with PFF's Steve Palazollo on my NBC Sports Radio show about why he liked him to America's Team:
"A guy we are talking about maybe three or four years down the road was a much better pro than he was a college player. Down the stretch, in our play by play grading he the number four edge defender from about week five through the end of the season and he was on a loaded defensive line at Michigan as his playing time increased he’s been outstanding, really good production on about and a half worth of snaps of the last three years. He’s got the length (6-foot 5-inches) to whip blockers off the line of scrimmage. Can play the run and get after the quarterback."
Here is more reaction from PFF:
Carlton will bring the Cowboys instant pass-rush production. In 2016, Charlton collected eight sacks, 10 QB hits, 32 hurries, and one batted pass on his 251 pass-rushing snaps. He has a variety of pass-rushing moves and can win outside with speed or with very skilled hand usage. Charlton also has great length at 6-foot-6 with 34.25-inch arms that he uses effectively in his pass-rush, both to keep blockers at a distance and to generate power through leverage. Charlton’s pass-rushing productivity mark of 16.6 ranks fifth in the draft class. — Jordan Plocherh, @PFF_Jordan
