Taco Charlton
No. 54 – Birmingham Stallions | |||||||||||
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Position: | Defensive end | ||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||
Born: | Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | November 7, 1994||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||||||
Weight: | 270 lb (122 kg) | ||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||
High school: | Pickerington Central (Pickerington, Ohio) | ||||||||||
College: | Michigan (2013–2016) | ||||||||||
NFL draft: | 2017 / Round: 1 / Pick: 28 | ||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Vidauntae "Taco" Charlton (born November 7, 1994) is an
Early years
Charlton was born at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center two months prematurely.[1] His nickname derived from the fact that to try to keep his mother from going into labor early, his grandmother would speak to her daughter's baby bump and tell him "you had best not make a run for the border", referencing the Taco Bell advertising slogan.[2]
He attended
As a senior, he was a two-way player, registering 116 tackles (24 for loss) and 19 sacks, while receiving Division I All-Ohio honors. He committed to the University of Michigan to play college football as a four-star recruit.[4]
In addition, Charlton also played
College career
Charlton accepted a football scholarship from the
As a junior in 2015, he was defensive end in a
As a senior in 2016, he became a starter at right defensive end in a
College statistics
Season | Team | GP | Defense | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tackles | Loss | Sacks | Int | FF | |||
2013 | Michigan | 2 | 2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
2014 | Michigan | 9 | 19 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 0 | 0 |
2015 | Michigan | 11 | 30 | 8.5 | 5.5 | 0 | 1 |
2016 | Michigan | 11 | 40 | 13.5 | 10.0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 33 | 91 | 28.0 | 19.0 | 0 | 1 |
Professional career
Pre-draft
Coming out of Michigan, Charlton was projected by the majority of NFL draft experts and analysts to be a first round pick. He received an invitation to the
He opted to run the
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle |
Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 5+5⁄8 in (1.97 m) |
277 lb (126 kg) |
34+1⁄4 in (0.87 m) |
9+3⁄4 in (0.25 m) |
4.92 s | 1.69 s | 2.85 s | 4.39 s | 7.17 s | 33 in (0.84 m) |
9 ft 8 in (2.95 m) |
25 reps | |
All value from NFL Combine.[19]
|
Dallas Cowboys
2017
Charlton was selected by the
On May 11, 2017, the Cowboys signed Charlton to a four-year, $10.02 million contract that includes $7.73 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $5.43 million.[21] He competed with Benson Mayowa, Charles Tapper, and Damontre Moore throughout training camp for a backup defensive end position. The coaching staff named Charlton the backup left defensive end behind DeMarcus Lawrence, who went on to have a breakout season and tied for second in the league with 14.5 sacks.[22]
Charlton made his regular season debut in the Dallas Cowboys' season-opener against the
2018
In 2018, he had to compete for playing time against
He started the first seven games at right defensive end opposite of DeMarcus Lawrence and was substituted in passing downs. He had a sack in Week 2 against the Giants.[28] He suffered a shoulder injury in the eighth game against the Tennessee Titans, that forced him to miss five of the next six contests.[29] His involvement was limited in the Cowboys' two playoff games, playing only 27 total snaps.[30]
Charlton registered 27 tackles, four tackles for loss (tied for third on the team), one sack, four quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery. He appeared in 11 games (seven starts), missing five contests because of a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery, and he also had an ankle surgery.[31][32][33]
2019
In 2019, he entered
In the preseason, his playing time increased by taking advantage of injuries to defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence, Tyrone Crawford and Robert Quinn. He had solid performances, with the best one coming in the third game against the Houston Texans, where he registered three tackles, two sacks, two quarterback hurries, one pass defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His big night was dampened by injury, leaving the contest on two occasions because of knee and ankle injuries.[35]
Charlton was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the season, fueling speculation in the media about his future with the Cowboys. It also didn't help that Charlton showed his displeasure through social media. He tweeted the message "free me" on September 15.[36]
On September 18, 2019, two weeks into the season, Charlton was released by the team to make room to activate suspended defensive end Quinn, after the team failed to find a trade partner.[37] His tenure with the Cowboys was one of the shortest for a first-round draft choice in franchise history, that didn't involve a career-ending injury.[38]
Miami Dolphins
On September 19, 2019, Charlton was claimed off waivers by the Miami Dolphins.[39] Charlton made his debut with the Dolphins in Week 3 against his former team, the Cowboys. In the game, Charlton recorded two tackles and one sack as the Dolphins lost 31–6.[40] In Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Charlton recorded six tackles and a sack on Philip Rivers in the 30–10 loss.[41] Although he started five games and finished as the team's leader with 5 sacks, he was declared inactive in four contests, including three of the last four games.[42] He finished with 21 tackles (14 solo), five sacks and two forced fumbles.[43]
On April 30, 2020, Charlton was waived, after facing competition from 5 new defensive ends, that the Dolphins acquired through
Kansas City Chiefs
Charlton signed with the
Charlton re-signed with the Chiefs on March 22, 2021.[51] He was released by the Chiefs on August 23, 2021.[52]
Pittsburgh Steelers
Charlton was signed to the practice squad of the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 21, 2021.[53] He was promoted to the active roster on November 2, 2021.[54] He appeared in 11 games for the Steelers.[55]
New Orleans Saints
Charlton signed with the New Orleans Saints on April 4, 2022.[56] He was released on August 30, 2022, and signed to the practice squad the next day.[57][58]
Chicago Bears
On November 16, 2022, the Chicago Bears signed Charlton off the New Orleans Saints practice squad to the active roster.[59] He was waived on December 28, 2022.[60]
Jacksonville Jaguars
On January 2, 2023, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Charlton to their practice squad.[61] His practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 21, 2023.
San Francisco 49ers
On August 1, 2023, Charlton signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[62] On August 19, 2023, the 49ers placed him on injured reserve.[63] He was released with an injury settlement on August 26, 2023.[64]
Birmingham Stallions
On March 19, 2024, Charlton signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).[65]
References
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- ^ Davison, Drew (April 28, 2017). "The story of how Vidauntae Charlton became 'Taco'". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ Snyder, Mark (November 24, 2016). "U-M's Butt, Charlton are pride of Pickerington — just outside Columbus". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ VanHaaren, Tom (February 19, 2012). "DE Charlton chooses U-M". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ Snyder, Mark (September 15, 2015). "Two-sport star? Beilein remembers U-M's Charlton on court". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on October 5, 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Taco Charlton College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ Baumgardner, Nick (July 5, 2016). "Michigan's Taco Charlton says there's no excuse anymore, he's shooting for a big final year". mlive.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ Snyder, Mark (August 16, 2016). "Michigan's Taco Charlton lighter, comfortable at old position". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on May 17, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ Windsor, Shawn (August 25, 2016). "Windsor: Taco Charlton helps make Michigan's DL among best in nation". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on October 27, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ Snyder, Mark (October 16, 2016). "A call to arms: U-M's Taco Charlton using wingspan to disrupt offenses". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "Peppers, Lewis Lead All 11 Defenders Honored by B1G". MGoBlue.com. CBS Interactive. November 29, 2016. Archived from the original on July 22, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
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- ^ Palazzolo, Steve (January 10, 2017). "Top 32 prospects for the 2017 NFL draft". PFF. Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ "Taco Charlton, DS #4 DE, Michigan". nfldraftscout.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
- NFL.com. Archivedfrom the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ "2017 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 3, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ "Spotrac.com: Taco Charlton contract". spotrac.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
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- ^ "Taco Charlton 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ Downer, Burke (January 25, 2019). "Cowboys DE Taco Charlton undergoes successful shoulder surgery". Cowboys Wire. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ Barrera, Zeke (May 15, 2019). "Taco Charlton underwent 2nd offseason surgery, Cowboys DE recovering". Cowboys Wire. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
- ^ Watkins, Calvin (August 2, 2019). "'Man talk': Rod Marinelli wants more from Cowboys DE Taco Charlton, and that was made clear this summer". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
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- ^ "Taco Charlton 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
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- ^ "Taco Charlton 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on June 25, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
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- ^ Williams, Charean (December 28, 2022). "Bears claim Michael Ojemudia off waivers, cut Taco Charlton". ProFootballTalk. Archived from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ "Roster Moves: Jaguars sign DE/OLB Taco Charlton to the practice squad". Jaguars.com. January 2, 2022. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ "49ers Sign DL Taco Charlton; Waive Safety". 49ers.com. August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ "49ers Sign Two Defensive Linemen; Place Taco Charlton on IR". 49ers.com. August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Bouda, Nate (August 26, 2023). "NFL Transactions: Sunday 8/26". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved August 26, 2023.
- ^ "UFL Player Transactions, Tuesday March 19, 2024". UFLBoard.com. March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
External links
- Taco Charlton on Twitter
- Michigan Wolverines bio