K.C. Chiefs take another one-year flyer on Taco Charlton

With the prospect of losing three defensive ends in free agency this offseason, the K.C. Chiefs have decided to slow the bleeding at the position by at least bringing back an intriguing flyer in Taco Charlton. NFL reporter Tom Pelissero notes that the team is bringing him back on (another) one year deal.

Charlton joined the Chiefs last season on an inexpensive one-year contract to help rehabilitate his stock on the open market and show what he can do as a pass rusher with a team in primetime as often as the Chiefs. Unfortunately after showing some initial promise, Charlton’s season ended prematurely with a fractured ankle after only seven games.

Last season, Charlton had 6 pressures and 2 sacks in only 90 total defensive snaps for the Chiefs as a rotational pass rusher. Any expectations this season should be tempered knowing that the Chiefs are likely going to do a lot more work at the position of defensive end, but Charlton is now a player familiar with the team’s defensive schemes and teammates, which could help him even more as he hopes to show what he can do if he stays healthy.

Charlton entered the NFL as a project pass rusher whose measurable were good enough to earn him a first round look in the 2017 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. However, after a couple seasons, it was clear that the Cowboys were ready to move on and they eventually waived him in 2019. The Miami Dolphins claimed him and took a long look themselves before letting him walk.

As for the Chiefs, they will likely see Tanoh Kpassagnon and Alex Okafor leave in free agency as well, which leaves only Mike Danna and Frank Clark at the position along with roster hopefuls like Tim Ward and Demone Harris. There’s a lot of room at this point for Charlton to make his mark, although the Chiefs will certainly add to the mix through free agency and the draft.

In 44 career games (12 starts), Charlton has 20 quarterback hits and 11 sacks in parts of four NFL seasons.