Charles Tapper NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Cowboys Rookie

POSITIVES

Charles Tapper is a defensive lineman full of upside and with enough athleticism to wow teams looking for a pass-rusher on the edge or between the guard and center.

With a 4.59-second 40-yard dash, Tapper may be looked at as an edge-rusher, a role he played at times for Oklahoma. He has the length to keep tackles off his frame with his inside arm and turns the corner well for a power end.

Tapper’s hand play succeeds when working to get blockers off his pads, and he has shown the ability to time his punch well to combat what linemen come at him with. His hand play needs work, but it’s a potential strength.

Tapper can drop his weight and get push as a bull-rusher. He doesn’t shy away from contact and will be the aggressor at the point of attack. His showing at the Senior Bowl gave teams a glimpse of what type of impact Tapper can have as a rusher.

Athletically, Tapper could be classified as an edge player. At 6’3”, 271 pounds and with high 4.5 speed, he has the traits to become a better pass-rusher in the NFL than he ever was in college. The 34 ⅜" arms and 11 ½" hands will help scouts fall in love with Tapper, too.

NEGATIVES

Tapper was never put into a role to succeed at OU. The team tried playing him as a 3-4 defensive end, but at 271 pounds, he was never strong enough to hold up at the point of attack against Big 12 tackles.

Tapper’s balance and pad height are major question marks. He has quickness but often surrendered it by standing up straight off the snap. Being a linear player at 271 pounds head-up on an offensive tackle is a sure way to lose the battle.

In terms of fundamentals and technique, Tapper is super raw and underdeveloped. He doesn’t know how to use leverage or quickness to beat tackles around the edge and fails to use his speed to his benefit. When countered by tackles, he doesn’t use a secondary move and will allow less talented players to block him.

Tapper is a bit of a tease as a prospect given his length and speed matched against how the Sooners used him and what he produced there.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 271 lbs.

40 Time: 4.59s

3-Cone: N/A

Short Shuttle: N/A

PRO COMPARISON: Owa Odighizuwa, New York Giants
FINAL GRADE: 6.00/9.00 (Round 3—Future Starter)