A former Dallas Cowboys A former first-round pick has joined a new team.
As noted by Anthony Miller of Sports Illustrated’s Fan Nation, the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League are adding defensive end Taco Charlton to their roster. This marks Charlton’s ninth professional team in seven years since he entered the NFL.
Taco Charlton Was First-Round Pick of Cowboys in 2017
Taco Charlton, who is now 29 years old, was selected in the first round by the Cowboys in 2017. His time with Dallas ended after just two seasons, and he was released in his third season without playing a single game.
During his two years with the Cowboys, Charlton made only 46 tackles and four sacks in 27 games and seven starts. He started the first seven games of the 2018 season, but a shoulder injury took him out of the starting lineup.
The University of Michigan alum has become a journeyman, moving from team to team. He joined the Miami Dolphins in 2019, recording five sacks – still his career best – and 21 tackles in 10 games and five starts.
He has since been with the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago Bears, with minimal production of just 2.5 sacks and 28 tackles in the three seasons following.
Charlton was part of the San Francisco 49ers in 2023, but was released before the season began without playing in a regular season game. He has also had offseason experiences with the New Orleans Saints and Jacksonville Jaguars.
Throughout six NFL seasons, Charlton has totaled 95 tackles and 11.5 sacks in 60 games and 13 starts.
Eric Kendricks Passed on Bigger Deal From Niners: Report
The Cowboys haven’t made many big moves in free agency, but they have made one major signing.
Dallas’ sole external free agent addition, former Pro Bowl linebacker Eric Kendricks, chose the Cowboys over the San Francisco 49ers. According to ESPN’s Todd Archer, Kendricks turned down a larger offer from the Niners to join the Cowboys.
“Word has it Kendricks took less from the Cowboys than he had from the 49ers,” writes Archer. “Call it the power of new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer or a major difference in cost of living and taxes between Texas and northern California.”
Kendricks played under Mike Zimmer during the first six seasons of his career (2015-2021) when he was the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings. The 31-year-old was named a First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection during the 2019 season after leading the team with 110 tackles.
Prior to joining the Cowboys, it was expected that Kendricks would sign with San Francisco. However, he changed his mind hours later and instead decided to reunite with Zimmer in Dallas.
Kendricks explained what he’s learned from Zimmer over the course of his career.
Via Nick Eatman of the Cowboys’ official website:
“The level of detail and the amount of football that I learned with Zimm was tremendous,” Kendricks said. “I feel like I’ll never take that for granted and that’s why I’m back with him right now. Just being at the facility today, it’s all becoming real. I’m very excited to play, it’s obviously the sport I grew up playing. Love playing middle linebacker. I’m happy I’m able to be in Coach ZImm’s system again. It felt right.”
Throughout his nine-year career, including last season with the Los Angeles Chargers, Kendricks has accumulated a total of 1,036 tackles and nine interceptions in 132 games.
