Dallas Cowboys: 5 players who must improve

3. Taco Charlton

With Demarcus Lawrence having a breakout season, it relieved some of the pressure of last year’s first-round pick Taco Charlton. The pick was made out of need and personally it felt like there were better players for Dallas to grab. Charlton will need to step up in 2018 to make that pick worth it and give the team some added juice off the edge opposite Lawrence.

The Cowboys’ defensive line could turn from a massive weakness only two seasons ago to possibly the defenses biggest strength with a good season from Charlton. Lawrence played like an All-Pro and should continue his progression. David Irving only appeared in half of the team’s games but looks like he could be one of the league’s top interior pass rushers and disrupters. Maliek Collins, a former second-round pick, has showed flashes as well. It will come down to Charlton to add depth and another edge pass rushers.

At Michigan, the Wolverines used Charlton all over the formation but he is at his best with his hand in the dirt and setting the edge. He may not have the bend or hands that other pass rushers have but he is a long athlete with tremendous power. Good news for the Cowboys is that the last six games of the season were his best. That means he is growing into his position and the potential that made him a first round pick is starting to come to fruition.

The aforementioned players, Charlton and the return of Randy Gregory could give Dallas it’s best pass-rushing teams since DeMarcus Ware was wearing the star. Dallas will need Charlton and the entire defensive line to improve this upcoming season in a tough NFC.