2017 NFL Draft Profile: Defensive lineman Taco Charlton

Take a look at the strengths, weaknesses, and an overall draft day prediction on defensive lineman Taco Charlton out of Michigan.

Defensive lineman Taco Charlton saw improvement every season with the Wolverines. He decided to make the trek over to Ann Arbor despite being resided in Pickerington, a Columbus, OH suburb. His 2017 NFL Draft stock is high, to say the least.

As a freshman, he played special teams for the most part, and he only recorded two tackles. In 2014, he played in nine games, and he had 19 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Then, Jim Harbaugh made his way back to Ann Arbor.

He saw his playing time go from 11 games combined in his first two years to 11 in both his junior and senior seasons. He would record 8.5 sacks as a junior and 9.5 sacks as a senior, and as a senior, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors.

STRENGTHS

He possesses an uncommon combination of size, speed, and athleticism. He’s freakishly athletic, and his body frame is still developing.

Charlton’s reaction time at the snap is excellent. He has enough strength to push around offensive tackles and has a superb speed-to-power transition.

His flexibility is amazing, and he uses his hips well in multiple moves. The spin move he uses can make him dangerous.

Because of longer strides and his length, he can get to the run on the outside rather quickly. Charlton has improved how he uses his hands.

WEAKNESSES

The word inconsistent is being thrown around. He didn’t become a full-time starter until his senior season with the Wolverines.

He’s not strong enough and needs a lot more work in the weight room. Needs to use his length to his advantage to get blockers off of him.

His play when the running play is on the other side of the line is suspect. Charlton may not be tough enough to play inside or as a 5-technique end.

VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Next: 2017 NFL Draft Profile: Quarterback Brad Kaaya

DRAFT DAY PREDICTION

Charlton has shown inconsistency for all four years at Michigan. However, that buzzword began to leave the lexicon as his senior season got toward the end.

He has the size, speed and athleticism general managers want in a defensive end. Even though his numbers weren’t great coming out of college, improving numbers yearly shows a commitment to the game, and if he commits to the weight room and takes in the coaching, Charlton has a high ceiling.

He has all-pro potential. He will be a first-round pick.

Home/Draft