Detroit Lions fans, let’s play “Would you rather?”

Taco Charlton

Let’s focus on one of the guys that might have helped. Taco Charlton, the rookie Dallas Cowboys defensive end, was on the mind of many Detroit fans during the first round.

Will McClay, the Cowboys senior director of college and pro personnel, recently was quoted from a radio interview by the Dallas Sports Day DFW as saying this about the former Michigan Wolverine end:

"“[Charlton’s] got the stuff, and he’s gonna go in the shed with [defensive coordinator Rod] Marinelli and it’s gonna be beat down and tore down and he’s gonna figure it out and he’s gonna be an impactful player for us. He’s got size, he’s got speed, everything we look for. You know, they still run the ball in the NFL. Everybody’s talking about a ‘war daddy.’ Until we find a ‘war daddy,’ we’re gonna do it collectively, and he’s gonna add something to it.”"

It doesn’t sound better compared to Jarrad Davis. However, considering that three of our ends are on the PUP, physically unable to perform list, perhaps not selecting a player like Charlton early is an opportunity cost of adding Davis.

Bob Quinn, the Lions general manager, didn’t select an end until the sixth round. The reviews of who we do have are not very complimentary, and we could struggle to generate any pass rush outside of starter Ziggy Ansah, who is starting the season injured.

Quinn could’ve added T.J. Watt, outside linebacker, Charles Harris, defensive end, Takkarist McKinley, defensive end, or Ryan Ramczyk, offensive tackle, too. Any of these players could’ve been taken without moving up or down in the draft.