Dallas Cowboys: 3 Players primed to break out in 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 12: Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates his sack of quaterback Sean Mannion #13 of the Los Angeles Rams during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 12, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 19: Taco Charlton #97 of the Dallas Cowboys cuts around Anthony Castonzo #74 of the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of a preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Taco Charlton eats tackles for lunch

The Cowboys may have a diamond in the rough with defensive end Taco Charlton. The problem is, he is still rough. But the diamond is forming. NFL players make the most progress between years one and two. If that is the case, then Charlton is primed to break out.

Charlton was selected with the No. 28 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He was ranked as the fourth best edge defender by Pro Football Focus in the class. He was strong against the run. He does an excellent job of setting an edge in the run. He recorded three sacks last season as a specialty pass rusher.

Charlton has everything he needs to be a dominant pass rusher in the NFL. He has freaky length, size and athletic ability. He is still growing into his length which means he could easily add more weight to go along with his speed and quickness.

He needs to improve upon his pass rush moves and hand usage to progress. The hands will help him shed blocks to be stout against the run. The pass rush moves will make him less predictable as a specialty rusher.

Should he fill out his frame and improve his game, he could displace Tyrone Crawford as the starter at right defensive end.

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