If the Kansas City Chiefs opt to continue improving their roster in free agency, recently-released Miami Dolphins DE Taco Charlton could pique their interests.
Originally drafted with the No. 28 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, Charlton hasn’t lived up to the measure of a first-round pick thus far in his career. The Dolphins picked him up off waivers during the 2019 NFL season, and in 10 games with the team, he managed to amass five sacks. The problem with his time in Miami is that he only managed to start five games on a team that had a serious lack of pass rush.
So what might interest the Chiefs in adding a player like Charlton? First of all, he hits all of the thresholds for a Steve Spagnuolo defensive end. He has the size at 6-6 and 277 pounds. He also has the length with 34.25-inch arms. Another reason he could be a fit is that his alma mater is Michigan. He’d be joining Frank Clark and new draft pick Mike Danna as Michigan alum in the defensive line room. That type of camaraderie could do wonders for his development in the NFL.
Look at the success the Chiefs had in 2019 in turning around the career of Emmanuel Ogbah, who is one of the players the Dolphins brought in to replace Charlton. If anyone in the NFL can find a way to get the most out of Charlton, it’s Kansas City defensive line coach Brendan Daly.
An important detail to keep in mind is that Charlton is not a vested veteran. He still needs to pass through waivers to become an unrestricted free agent. That’d be the only way the Chiefs would be interested in grabbing Charlton, otherwise, they’ll end up paying him $1.8 million owed on his rookie contract. Bring him in on a cheap one-year prove-it style contract and if he makes the roster, you can reap the rewards in the future when he earns you a compensatory draft pick.
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