Dallas, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys are once again facing renewed criticism as one of their most controversial draft decisions continues to resurface, reigniting frustration among fans and analysts nearly a decade after it originally unfolded.
What once appeared to be a calculated gamble during the 2017 NFL Draft has now evolved into a widely discussed cautionary tale, highlighting the long-term consequences of misjudging talent at the highest level of professional football.
With the 28th overall pick in that draft, Dallas selected Taco Charlton, an edge rusher who possessed intriguing physical attributes but ultimately failed to translate that potential into consistent on-field production.
Just two selections later, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a decision that would reshape the defensive landscape of the league, drafting T. J. Watt, a player who would go on to redefine excellence at his position.
Watt’s meteoric rise into superstardom has only intensified the scrutiny surrounding Dallas’s choice, as his dominance serves as a constant reminder of what the franchise passed on during that pivotal moment.
Over the course of his career, Watt has accumulated 115 sacks, earned eight Pro Bowl selections, and secured four first-team All-Pro honors, establishing himself firmly among the elite defenders in NFL history.
In stark contrast, Charlton struggled to make a meaningful impact during his tenure in Dallas, recording just four sacks across two seasons before being released early in the 2019 campaign.
The disparity between the two players has become one of the most frequently cited examples of draft miscalculation, illustrating how quickly projections can diverge from reality once players enter the professional stage.
Following his departure from the Cowboys, Charlton briefly joined the Miami Dolphins, but his time there did little to revive his trajectory, as consistency and production remained elusive.
By 2023, Charlton found himself completely out of the NFL, unable to secure a permanent role on any roster, effectively marking the end of a career that once carried significant expectations.
Meanwhile, Watt has continued to dominate opposing offenses with relentless intensity, consistently disrupting plays and serving as the cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s defensive identity year after year.
His ability to maintain elite performance across multiple seasons has elevated him into conversations surrounding future Hall of Fame induction, further amplifying the contrast with Charlton’s unrealized potential.
For Cowboys fans, the comparison has become a source of ongoing frustration, as many believe the organization missed a rare opportunity to secure a transformational defensive talent.
Across the league, analysts have gone as far as labeling Charlton’s selection as one of the “worst draft picks of the century,” citing Watt’s trajectory as undeniable evidence of the magnitude of the missed opportunity.
While Charlton displayed flashes of promise during his college career, concerns regarding consistency and overall drive ultimately translated into an underwhelming professional journey that fell far short of expectations.
Reports from within the Cowboys organization at the time suggested that defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli grew increasingly frustrated with Charlton’s work ethic, a factor that contributed significantly to his early release.
After leaving Dallas, Charlton moved between multiple teams in search of stability, yet he was unable to establish himself as a reliable contributor at any point during his remaining time in the league.
In contrast, Watt’s relentless motor, discipline, and commitment to improvement have defined his career, allowing him to consistently rank among the NFL’s most disruptive defensive forces.
The ongoing comparison between these two players has become a powerful lesson for teams across the league, emphasizing the risks associated with prioritizing physical traits over proven production and competitive mindset.
For the Cowboys, the 2017 draft now stands as a reminder of how unpredictable the evaluation process can be, and how even well-intentioned decisions can lead to long-lasting consequences.
As the franchise continues to build toward future success, the lingering memory of passing on Watt remains a sobering example of a decision that could have dramatically altered the team’s defensive trajectory.
Ultimately, the hope within the organization is that past mistakes will inform better decision-making moving forward, even as the sting of this particular draft misstep continues to resonate with fans.
And as Watt’s career continues to flourish, each dominant performance serves to reinforce the magnitude of what was lost, ensuring that this moment will remain a defining chapter in Cowboys history for years to come.
