While the first couple of waves of free agency have passed, it's never too late to upgrade the roster, something the Cowboys will try to do at the end of this month with the NFL Draft.
Even with that, the majority of the 2018 roster is already in place. In the coming weeks, the staff of DallasCowboys.com will preview those players, analyzing where they've been and where they're going.
Today, we'll continue the series with defensive end Taco Charlton.
Views of #97 Defensive End Taco Charlton from the 2017-18 Regular Season.
10 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) in action during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 19-3. (Ryan Kang via AP)
10 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys' Taco Charlton, left, swaps jerseys with New York Giants' Roger Lewis, right, after an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
10 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 1 regular season 19-3 win over the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) on the sidelines during second quarter action against the Denver Broncos in the NFL game at Sports Authority Field in Denver ,Colo. September 17, 2017. (Photo via Eric Bakke)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) rushes Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) during an NFL regular season football game on Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Denver. The Broncos won, 42-17. (Ric Tapia via AP)
17 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
17 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 2 regular season 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
25 September 2017: Taco Charlton (97) of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 3 regular season 28-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) looks on during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Glendale, Ariz. Dallas won 28-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
01 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
01 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 4 regular season 35-30 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
Dallas Cowboys' Taco Charlton (97), DeMarcus Lawrence (90), Ezekiel Elliott (21) and Terrance Williams (83) stand during the playing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (Ryan Kang via AP)
08 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 5 regular season 35-31 loss to the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) in action during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) in action during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. The Packers defeated the Cowboys, 35-31. (Ryan Kang via AP)
DAL vs GB
DAL vs GB
21 October 2017: Taco Charlton of the Dallas Cowboys during their walk through practice at San Jose City College Jaguar Stadium before their week 7 regular season game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
22 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 7 regular season 40-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97), Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) and Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Brian Price (92) during an NFL football game between the Dallas Cowboys against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (Tom Hauck via AP)
29 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
29 October 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their week 8 regular season 33-19 win over the Washington Redskins at FedEx Field in Landover, Maryland. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs KC
05 November 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) prepares to throw a pass under pressure from Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys' David Irving (95) and Taco Charlton (97) give chase as Kansas City Chiefs' Alex Smith (11) scrambles out of the pocket during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
05 November 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 9 regular season game 28-17 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Jehu Chesson (80) during an NFL regular season football game on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys won, 28-17. (Ric Tapia via AP)
DAL Vs ATL Departure
DAL Vs ATL Departure
DAL Vs ATL
DAL Vs ATL
12 November 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
12 November 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 10 regular season 27-7 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
DAL Vs ATL
DAL Vs ATL
DAL vs PHI
DAL vs LAC
DAL vs LAC
23 November 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Sam Smith/Dallas Cowboys
23 November 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 12 regular season 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) looks on during a week 13 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 13 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) runs around the edge in front of Washington Redskins offensive tackle Trent Williams (71) during a week 13 NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) runs around the edge in front of Washington Redskins offensive tackle Ty Nsekhe (79) during a week 13 NFL football game on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 38-14. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
30 November 2017: Taco Charlton (97) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 13 regular season 38-14 win over the Washington Redskins at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
10 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 14 regular season 30-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks to pass as Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) closes in during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
17 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) runs around the edge during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders tight end Lee Smith (86) blocks Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) during a week 15 NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Oakland Raiders guard Vadal Alexander (74) blocks Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) during a week 15 NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
17 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) runs around the edge as Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws the ball during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017 in Oakland, Calif. Dallas won 20-17. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
17 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 15 regular season 20-17 win over the Oakland Raiders at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 16 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Seattle won 21-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
24 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
24 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97) of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 16 regular season 21-12 loss to the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The award was accepted by Michelle Witten and family. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) lines up on the line of scrimmage during a week 16 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Seattle won 21-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) runs around the edge in front of Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Germain Ifedi (65) during a week 16 NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Seattle won 21-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) runs around the edge in front of Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Germain Ifedi (65) during a week 16 NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Seattle won 21-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) runs around the edge during a week 16 NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Seattle won 21-12. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
(L-R) Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Amara Darboh and defensive end Frank Clark (55), Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97), defensive end Richard Ash, cornerback Jourdan Lewis (27) and safety Delano Hill (42) pose for a photo after a jersey swap during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 24th, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. (NFL Photos via AP)
30 December 2017: Taco Charlton
of the Dallas Cowboys during their departure to the game with the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) rushes during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 6-0. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) rushes during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 6-0. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) rushes during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 6-0. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Taco Charlton (97) rushes during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 6-0. (Al Tielemans via AP)
31 December 2017: Taco Charlton (97)
of the Dallas Cowboys during their NFL week 17 regular season 6-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Photo by James D. Smith/Dallas Cowboys
What's Been Good:
Consistency and improvement. Those are the two things all players much show, especially early in their career. While Charlton didn't exactly jump out from the start with major production, he was better as the season progressed. By the end of the year, Charlton was starting to make plays on a consistent basis. The last month of the season, he had two sacks and eight quarterback pressures. In the first 11 games, Charlton had just three pressures.
What's Been Bad:
Overall, he didn't have a great year by first-round pick standards. But that's not entirely his own fault. The Cowboys admitted they drafted Charlton late in the first round mianly because they didn't like the lack of depth at the end position later in the draft, as opposed to the cornerback spot. So Charlton was picked to avoid having to reach for another player in later rounds. Plus, they knew he likely wouldn't start would be a player that developed, which he did. So, the Cowboys would've liked more than 19 tackles and three sacks for the year, but there is reason to be excited about his future.
2017 Highlight:
His best overall game occurred in a Nov. 30 win over the Redskins. He not only recorded his second of three sacks, but had two more tackles and a forced fumble.
What's Next:
For Charlton, he could probably stand to get a little stronger, which is usually the case for all players moving from their first to second season. Charlton has the build to add a few more pounds and not lose his athleticism. Depending on what happens with the rest of free agency, which includes a visit on Tuesday with veteran end Kony Ealy, and then the draft, Charlton will still be right at the top of the rotation and should have a chance to start.
- Once this staff moved on from Damontre' Moore, I felt like it helped Charlton play better.
- He started to get work and developed a better feel for how to attack the pocket.
- With a better plan came better snaps.
- Offseason will be huge for him to develop strength but also develop more flexibility.
- DeMarcus Lawrence redeveloped his body before last season.
- I would hope that Charlton could do the same.
