The 49ers of recent years have been known to generate some production from lower-profile defensive end additions, and the team will take a flier on a former first-round pick.
Taco Charlton signed with the 49ers on Tuesday. They are the ex-Cowboys first-rounder’s seventh team since leaving Dallas back in 2019. Charlton, 28, has been with the Dolphins, Chiefs, Steelers, Saints, Bears and Jaguars in the years since his Cowboys rookie deal did not pan out.
Last season, the Michigan alum stopped through Chicago and Jacksonville. The Bears used him as a backup in five games, while the Jags freed up a practice squad spot. Charlton does have 13 career starts, the most recent stretch of note coming in Miami four years ago. Charlton totaled five sacks with the Dolphins, who were not exactly going all out to win during that season.
The six-year veteran joins the 49ers’ Nick Bosa-fronted defensive end contingent. The 49ers have coaxed some decent work from the likes of Charles Omenihu, Samson Ebukam, Kerry Hyder and Arden Key in recent years. D-line coach Kris Kocurek‘s unit lost Omenihu (Chiefs) and Ebukam (Colts) in free agency. The Niners will expect 2022 second-rounder Drake Jackson to make a leap in Year 2, and Hyder re-signed with the team this offseason. The 49ers drafted Robert Beal in the fifth round, and they are also making a low-level bet on former Raiders top-five pick Clelin Ferrell.
With Ferrell, Bosa, Arik Armstead and Javon Kinlaw, the 49ers now have five first-rounders on their D-line. Though, a few of these players have obviously not justified those past investments. Charlton will attempt to assimilate here, with the 49ers’ P-squad a potential option as well. The team waived safety Avery Young to clear a roster spot.
It’s Taco Tuesday in San Francisco!
I’m sorry, I had to…
hall of fame name
Vidauntae “Taco” Charlton
Like he will ever play a regular season snap for the 49ers! This guy has had one opportunity after another with the same result!
As a Michigan fan I was hoping he would do well in the NFL but he has never come close to looking like a first round pick. He’s now 28 so this will likely be his last shot to show something. The Niners are the clear favorite to win their division so they can afford to take these types of gambles.
Even as a 49ers fan, I have to admit idk if they are quite the favorite you are making them out to be.
Idk whether they are just trying to “be different” or whether they are trying to be the “hot take” guy, but I’ve seen and read quite a few “experts” actually claim the Seahawks as the favorites to win the NFC West this upcoming season.
I’m guessing it is just a little bit of recency bias, because they were so enamored with how good the Seahawks drafted thus past season. Add that to their surprise run last season, and then them making a few key moves in free agency, and I think that’s where all the latest hype is coming from.
I also think too much focus is being put on the 49ers QB situation. They’re completely overanalyzing Purdy’s injury, Trey Lance, and the addition of Darnold, and their using that situation to cast doubt on the 49ers ability to win the NFC West again…
Honestly, I’d be perfectly fine with either Purdy or Lance starting for the 49ers Week 1. I think Lance gets alot of unfair criticism, and I don’t feel he has really even been able to show his true abilities. Before he was injured, he was only able to really get into one game, and that was on a messy weather day, without his starting RB, and he didn’t have Kittle nor a healthy Deebo either. So, we really haven’t even seen what he’s truly capable of doing if he’s given a fair chance with all of their weapons healthy and ready to go.
The only way I would be concerned is if it is Sam “I see ghosts everywhere” Darnold under center Week 1. Although, even if he is the starter come Week 1, it won’t be long before he gets benched for either Purdy or Lance, and then I think they’ll eventually be just fine to win the division…