Chiefs: Just When You Thought He Was Done, Veach Makes the Next Move

Chiefs: Just When You Thought He Was Done, Veach Makes the Next Move – while you were sleeping or maybe, watching the latest bad Friday Night movie, Brett Veach was signing former Dolphin DE Vidauntae ‘Taco’ Charlton to a one year deal.

The Draft & Two NFL Teams

Even though the Chiefs were a week away from having taken 6 players in the NFL draft and plus adding 18 UDFA’s to the roster, GM Brett Veach was busy signing the newly released DE. Taco Charlton led the Miami Dolphins with 5 sacks in 2019 but, has never lived up to his advanced billing.

This signing adds a dimension of depth, since the Chiefs lost Emmanuel Ogbah in free agency this spring… if… Charlton picks up his game which has suffered since his 2^nd season with the Dallas Cowboys in which he started only 7 games before being knocked out of the remainder of the season with an minor shoulder injury which did require surgery.

Ian Rapoport was reprotng from a year ago, so Taco should be way past his recovery concerns from minor surgery.

It’s difficult enough to keep such a move economical but it must have been advantageous for the Chiefs to bring a potential talent in for the front four. Keep this player in mind when the Chiefs open their season. Charlton’s addition was trade-mark Brett Veach who has a knack for finding top quality draft picks that have fallen to the wayside. It has worked for KC but there’s a risk involved too. Fortunately that risk has the potential to be “gainer” for KC’s upcoming season.

Charlton, 6-6, 275, Michigan, was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys at round 1, pick #28 in 2017. As far as the metrics of the Combine, he measured well with great athleticism. His weakness was judged to be “uneven play” which I regarded as an evaluation which indicated he took time off from top level effort. Taco was judged to have a weakness of being able to be powered off his block and out of his gap. Lance Zierlein wrote that his aggressiveness in pursuit of the play to the opposite side of the line of scrimmage was at times, withering. He would make plays and then hits a dry spell as well. Other defects in his game included leaning, which would get him off-balance.

These problems were superimposed beneath a high level of athleticism and note that Charlton was not a full time starter until his Senior year at Michigan. Scout’s felt that with Pro Coaching he would come into his own but his injury in 2018 slowed him down and by early 2019, the Cowboy’s first round pick was passe and released. Here the Miami Dolphins stepped in and brought him aboard.

I recall at the time thinking that Charlton would become a good starter at defensive end but the Chiefs were still running the 3-4 defense and I saw no encouragement that he could swap to an outside linebacker. Still according to his press, Taco was a heralded draft pick that didn’t pan out. He certainly has the size and talent to be a starter in a the 43 defense. He’s noted for his hands:

In 2017, Charlton’s NFL draft value was established as a round 1 pick (7.0 grade). Charlton finished season with Miami but, was released last Thursday clearing waivers on Friday and that is when Brett Veach pounced on the opportunity to bring him to KC.

The Risk Reward

The gamble will be that the Chiefs coaching staff can pick up the pieces and motivate the player to upgrade his game in a “third time’s the charm” situation. Charlton is only 25 years old and still has a lot of promise and a high ceiling for adding an experienced player to the roster.

The Chiefs already have a formidable Defensive front: Frank Clark and Alex Okafor are slotted for starting roles with Tanoh Kpassagnon adding strength. Charlton’s contribution will be as a role-player and see what he does with this chance to redeem himself. Inside the Chiefs boast DT Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Khalen Saunders and Breeland Speaks. Last year, the Chiefs fielded Emmanuel Ogbah in the mix and it is hoped that Charlton brings as much or more to the table. Also, in the 2020 draft, Veach brought aboard Mike Danna, a DE out of Michigan, their 5^th round selection.

I do recall the draft of 2017 and thought Charlton was a good prospect. I do have hope that the environment and new Chiefs staff motivate Charton to ascend to the potential heights of his talent. Here a nice pursuit sack where he doesn’t give up on the play against his old team:

Third Team’s the Charm

Of course, we won’t know how this plays out until camp and preseason games. Let’s hope Veach struck another vein of gold while digging through available talent in the NFL free agent pool. He jumped on this opportunity very quickly!

This was not a dire-straights signing, though it also comes with the attendant risk that Charlton will never ascend to the level that was expected of him when he came into the NFL. That risk though, is mitigated with a one-year, prove-it contract level contract that is low cost for the potential reward. The contract details are not yet revealed but they would likely be for a value of about $1.8M, commensurate with the amount for a 2017 round 1 draft pick in his fourth season (note: he was scheduled to make $1.3M with Miami this season). The potential is there for success, both for the player and the Chiefs. At best, he becomes a solid starter down the road and at worst Charlton is a one season wash in the ebb and flow of players who come and go in the NFL.

The potential is there. So, for me? It’s a Brett Veach type of outlook for the acquisition, a Real No Brainer.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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