Charles

Tapper

Tapper was the 101st overall pick in the 2016 draft. He has appeared in two career games due to numerous injuries. The Cowboys continue to struggle to identify, hold onto, or develop pass-rushing talent.

Tapper is a big-time athlete and has solid size at 6'3/271. With the suspensions of starting ends Randy Gregory and Demarcus Lawrence to start the season, Tapper could find his way into very meaningful snaps early.

A fourth-rounder, Tapper’s loss is no small thing for a team with a comically-thin defensive line. Tapper suffered the injury in early August. The team hasn’t provided a timetable for his return.

The fourth-rounder suffered the injury just before the season and recently experienced a setback. Newly-signed OT Emmett Cleary takes his roster spot.

The Cowboys have only four sacks through three games, and need Tapper’s depth. Injured reserve is becoming a possibility for the fourth-round rookie.

A fourth-round pick last year, Tapper didn’t play a single snap as a rookie after suffering a broken back just before Week 1 and then experiencing a setback. If healthy, Tapper (6'2/271) has massive upside at a position of need.

Tapper was cleared back in January after spending his rookie year on IR. He’ll likely be moved slowly but should get in some work this offseason. Tapper has potential to be a major part of the Cowboys’ defensive line rotation.

Tapper played all over the front at Oklahoma, but it sounds like the Cowboys will have him focus on end, which is easily their biggest need. With long arms, big hands and elite athleticism, Tapper is a high-upside edge rusher who could easily outperform his draft slot. He recorded 15.5 sacks in 38 college starts.

Tapper (6'3/271) made 38 career starts for the Sooners, tallying 26.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He was named first-team All-Big 12 as a senior. Tapper blazed a sensational 4.59 forty in Indy, posting the Combine’s top SPARQ score among defensive linemen. Built enormously with 34 3/8-inch arms and silly-big 11 1/2-inch hands, Tapper has experience at multiple defensive line positions and can win with both speed and power. Tapper needs to play with better pad level, but his upside is immense as Michael Bennett kind of prospect.

He suffered the injury at Wednesday’s practice and is likely headed for injured reserve. Tapper has recorded three tackles and one sack over 37 defensive snaps this season.