New defensive end Taco Charlton is getting a fresh start with the Kansas City Chiefs. The start of his career plainly hasn’t gone how he or many others expected it to. He had an opportunity with Cowboys, drafted No. 28 overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, to become a staple on their defensive line. He wouldn’t make it through his rookie contract before being released in Dallas. Then he goes to the Dolphins, and in just a year’s time, Miami decides to replace Charlton.
But Charlton says that both decisions were mutual, that he didn’t feel blindsided when he was released from either team. He envisions his opportunity in Kansas City as a fresh start, perhaps even the final chance to resurrect his career and reach his potential as a former first-round draft pick.
“I guess you could say that,” Charlton told reporters of whether his opportunity with the Chiefs was his last chance. “My foot is on the gas for this one. All effort. I gave my full effort everywhere I’ve been. In all of those situations, things came to an end. It was mutual in both situations, so it really wasn’t much of a surprise in either. God led me here and I feel like this is the best situation for me. That’s why I wanted to come here, and when Frank brought up the idea, I was excited. I was jumping at it — this is the place I want to be. I’m excited to be here and see what I can add to this defense.”
Has Charlton finally found his home with the Chiefs? It sure feels that way, but he also knows that he hasn’t yet made the 53-man roster yet and that he still has something left to prove.
“It’s definitely a year for me to prove myself and prove what I can still do on the field,” Charlton said. “I’m still confident in my abilities. I just feel like with the right scheme I can definitely how the right talent. Talking to the coaches and talking to Frank (Clark) I felt like this was the right fit for me and the right defensive scheme for me. I think this will be the right place for me to show my talents and show that I’m still able to do a lot of great things on the field. I felt a little out of position a bit in the past, so this year I feel like I’ll be comfortable using my talents to the best of my ability.”
The Chiefs’ defensive scheme and coaching staff played a big part in his decision. Specifically the opportunity to work for all-time great head coach Andy Reid, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and fiery defensive line coach Brendan Daly.
“It was everything about the organization, from hearing how great of a coach (Head) Coach Reid is,” Charlton said. “Then once I talked to Frank, he told me how great of a coach (Defensive Coordinator) Coach Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) is, how great of a person he is, and how I’d like to play for him. That’s all I needed. Once I saw that, once I got the chance myself to talk to him and talk to (Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line) Coach (Brendan) Daly, I was all comfortable with coming here and excited to see what I can bring here to Kansas City.”
So Charlton feels like he’ll be a fit with the Chiefs, but what will he bring to the scheme in Kansas City?
“I feel like I’m diverse because I’m quick in space,” Charlton said. “I’m long — I’m 6-6 270 pounds — being that long I’m able to slide inside and still feel comfortable in pass rushes. I think with the athletes that we have on the defensive line, being able to move us around, you can’t really get a key on anybody because we’re so many moving parts. I think it’ll benefit everybody because it’ll keep offenses guessing. . . We’ll be able to really get after it.”
Whether Charlton’s tenure in Kansas City lasts beyond the 2020 offseason remains to be seen. It’s obvious that he remains motivated, passionate about football and excited for his latest opportunity.
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