2017 NFL Scouting Report: Scouting Michigan Defensive End, Taco Charlton

One prospect who the Denver Broncos may consider during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft is former Michigan defensive end, Taco Charlton. He is a 6'6", 277lb defensive end who is considered one of the better pass rushers in the draft. Charlton is ranked at the 17th best prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports and is ranked as the fourth-best defensive end in the draft.

Taco Charlton played four seasons at Michigan and turned into one of the better defensive players in the country during that time. During his four-year at Michigan, Charlton totaled 91 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 19 sacks, 2 pass deflections, and 1 forced fumble. This past season he totaled 40 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, and 2 pass deflections.

Vidauntae "Taco" Charlton

Defensive End | Senior | Michigan

Height: 6'6" | Weight: 277lbs | 40 time: 4.92 seconds

Arm Length: 34 1/4" | Hands: 9 3/4"

Bench Press: 25 reps | Vertical Jump: 33.0 inches | Broad Jump: 116.0 inches

3 Cone Drill: 7.17 seconds | 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.39 seconds

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths:

• Good length and size
• Long arms
• Athletic for a man of his size
• Powerful and uses his long arms to beat offensive lineman
• Quick off the snap and times the snap well
• A speed to power type defender
• Shows enough bend to get by offensive tackles
• Multiple pass rush moves
• Lined up all over Michigan's defensive line
• His effort and never quit attitude stands out
• Gives 100% all the time

Weaknesses:

Does Taco Charlton make sense for the Denver Broncos?

I like the fit and I see some Malik Jackson in his game.

Charlton is an ascending prospect who appears to finally put it all together his senior year after inconsistent sophomore and junior years. If he lands with the right defensive mind I think he can become a very good defensive player pretty quickly. I think the Denver Broncos defensive coaches give him that sort of opportunity.

Now at his current weight, he has some "tweener" traits. If the Broncos were to draft him, he would be a defensive end in their 3-man front and most 3-4 defensive ends weigh about 285 to 300lbs. If Taco can add a healthy 10 to 15 pounds to his frame and strengthen his lower half some, I think he can become a dominant defensive end for the Broncos.

Early on I think he can come in on passing downs and rush the passer from inside, outside, or even stand up if asked. He would Defensive Coordinator Joe Woods some versatility.

If Broncos stand pat at No. 20, my hope is: 1) Unexpected slide of Foster; 2) Taco Charlton; 3) Forrest Lamp; 4) Best TE available.

— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) April 25, 2017

Denver Broncos General Manager said during his pre-draft press conference that he did not "want to go backward on defense".

"I don’t want to go backwards on defense and I’ve said that from the very get-go. We’re not going to go back on defense. It’s important for us to continue to stay good on defense and help the defense. If we have a great defensive player, we’ll go that direction. What we want to do is stay good and get better defensively and continue to get better on the offensive side. If we can do that, that makes us a better team."

Continuing to add defensive lineman and pass rushers like Taco Charlton will make sure that does not happen. It all starts up front and if Charlton can turn into a Malik Jackson type player the Broncos will be hitting a home run with this pick. Quarterback's hate interior pressure and this what I believe he can give the Broncos.

There is also the possibility that he's a poor fit in a 3-4 defense and would be better in a 4-3 defense on the edge. I think he can bulk up some and become a good 3-4 defensive end, but we shall see.