The Lions Are Projected To Take Taco Charlton With The Number 21 Pick In The 2017 NFL Draft.
This series is to give a look at who Matt Miller, NFL Draft Lead Writer from Bleacher Report, has us taking in his mock drafts as the season goes on. We will be breaking down who we “take” and if the player would be a good or bad fit for the team.
Matt Miller has had a range of picks for Detroit. In the many mock drafts he has created, he has given Detroit; safety Jabrill Peppers from Michigan, defensive lineman Malik McDowell from Michigan State, safety Jamal Adams from LSU, defensive lineman Caleb Brantley from Florida, cornerback Sidney Jones from Washington and defensive end Takkarist McKinley from UCLA.
With the newest mock he has Detroit taking Vidauntae “Taco” Charlton, defensive end from Michigan.
Does Taco Charlton Fill A Need?
Yes. Detroit needs help on the defensive line and Taco would be a big help on the edge. Besides Ziggy Ansah, Detroit doesn’t have another stud at the defensive end position. Sure Kerry Hyder lead the team in sacks with eight, but he got five of those in the first four games, meaning he only could get three more in the other 12 games. Hyder is an impressive defensive end, but I don’t believe he is starter material just yet.
Anthony Zettel is a backup as well, no way he can start just yet in the league. Devin Taylor has starting experience, but after a poor year he could be on the way out. Brandon Copeland mostly plays special teams so he sits there and if Detroit brings back Armonty Bryant, he could rotate in like Hyder could.
Is Taco Charlton A Good Or Bad Fit?
Taco is a great fit in Detroit. Detroit needs that starter mentality and Taco fits it. Taco is a good pass rusher and he can get under offensive lineman by going low and around the edge quickly. He uses his spin move to get past blockers at times and he is good at creating that separation between him and the tackle.
Last year at Michigan Taco had his best year ever, despite playing with an injured ankle for most of the year. He ended up with 40 tackles, 13.5 for loss, 10 sacks and two pass deflections. While there are a few better defensive ends than Taco in this draft, come pick 21 he will be the best one available and he is exactly what Detroit needs. Sadly his stock is climbing up higher and higher that some experts don’t see him falling to Detroit at pick 21, but if this mock draft can happen, he falls right into Detroit’s hands.
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