Former Cowboys first-round pick lands a new job in a comeback attempt.

In September 2019, Taco Charlton—Dallas Cowboys defensive end and first-round pick from Michigan in 2017—took to social media with a bold “Free Taco” plea to get himself out of Dallas. Charlton had been the exception in an otherwise strong drafting run, but Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli found he couldn’t utilize him effectively. Injuries, a lack of hustle, and a missing edge at the pass-rush position left Charlton on the bench, and he was waived after just 27 games. He signed with the Dolphins, but never became a major impact player, bouncing around practice squads and stints with the Chiefs, Steelers, and Bears before drifting from the NFL. 🏈💨🚪

Charlton’s football road is pivoting in a surprising direction: he’ll be back in Dallas in 2026, but this time in the United Football League with the Dallas Renegades. The eight-team UFL, formed from the merger of the USFL and XFL, will see Charlton as a Renegade as he pursues a comeback at age 31. He’ll join Peyton Hendershot, the former Cowboys tight end who appeared in 17 games as an undrafted rookie in 2022 before being released after two seasons. The UFL schedule runs from late March through early June, with Dallas among the host cities. 🔄🏙️🗓️

All of this unfolds as the Cowboys push to fix a faltering defense. The team is amid a defensive coordinator search after a rough 2025, a year that left Dallas 32nd in points allowed and 30th in yardage under the misfired guidance of Matt Eberflus. The bigger story may be the personnel puzzle: Dallas dumped big defensive-line acquisitions—Kenny Clark and Quinnen Williams—into the mix, but left gaping holes at defensive back and linebacker. The defense needs a cohesive overhaul beyond a single coordinator hire. 🧩🏗️

Dallas entered this draft with two first-round picks at Nos. 12 and 20, a rarity for a franchise that often targets offense early. Over the last decade, only Micah Parsons among the four defenders drafted (Charlton, Leighton Vander Esch, Parsons, Mazi Smith) turned into a long-term contributor, and Parsons was traded before the 2025 season. ESPN’s Todd Archer highlighted that the Cowboys could address any defensive spot except tackle, given the presence of Williams, Clark, and Odighizuwa, and that they needed to improve in pass rush, cornerback, linebacker, or safety to avoid more struggles—especially in pressuring the quarterback and taking the ball away. 📊🏈

Charlton’s comeback story is a long shot at 31, but it underscores a broader narrative: the Cowboys’ defense remains a work in progress even as their draft and roster moves continue. While Charlton seeks a fresh start in the Dallas market with the Renegades, the Cowboys must navigate a rigorous path to rebuild a cohesive unit on the field. The article frames the contrast between a former first-round pick’s uncertain return and a franchise intent on retooling its defense to compete. 🙌🏈🧭