The Miami Dolphins have waived defensive end Taco Charlton, per ESPN's Field Yates.
The Dolphins have waived DE Taco Charlton, a Cowboys first round pick in 2017. He had 5.0 sacks this past season.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 30, 2020
Charlton had 5.0 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles in 10 games with the Dolphins last season. He started in half of those appearances.
The former Michigan star would have been in the final year of his rookie deal (which dates back to 2017 when he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys and later released), but the Dolphins save over $1.8 million against the cap by choosing to waive him.
Miami did not need Charlton on the roster. He was unlikely to see a lot of action on the edge, given that position was a key point of focus for the team in the offseason.
The Dolphins signed former New England Patriots outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy and former Buffalo Bills end Shaq Lawson. Van Noy had 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season, while Lawson also had 6.5 sacks to go along with 13 tackles for a loss and 18 quarterback hits.
Miami had the worst defense in the league last season. They ranked last in total DVOA, per Football Outsiders. While an injury to star cornerback Xavien Howard certainly did not help, the Dolphins also ranked last in sacks. They simply lacked players who could generate pressure and get to the quarterback.
But the additions of Van Noy and Lawson should manifest more pressure up front, and the Dolphins also made big upgrades in the secondary, signing star corner Byron Jones and drafting Noah Igbinoghene out of Auburn.
This could be a strategic move on Miami's part, as well. The Dolphins still have north of $20 million in cap space, per Over The Cap. Perhaps they will target the likes of Jadeveon Clowney or Everson Griffen on the edge, having the ability to shift Lawson inside.
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