Cowboys’ most exciting pure edge player: Tapper or Moore?
By Reid Hanson
The Cowboys have two edge players competing for arguably the most important role on the defense. Who’s the favorite?
The Dallas Cowboys have a few holes yet to fill in training camp but none are more important than finding a pure edge rusher. A pure edge rusher is the kinda guy you insert on obvious passing downs. He’s the guy you lean on when you’re facing the likes of Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, and Tom Brady – Quarterbacks you know are going to pass a disproportionate amount of time and will carve up a defense if not pressured.
Dallas effectively added two players to their pure pass rusher stable this offseason when they threw Charles Tapper and Damontre Moore into the mix. Sure they drafted Taco Charlton in the first round but since rookies rarely contribute much in the way of pass rush, and Taco projects more as an every down end rather than a pure edge rusher, he’s not really in the conversation.
Charles Tapper
Charles Tapper may have been an offseason addition from 2016 but we’re claiming 2017 as his first real opportunity. The former fourth round pick from Oklahoma was robbed of his rookie season when a pars defect shelved him until the New Year.
Now, cleared to practice and 20 lbs. lighter, Tapper looks to fully transition from a college 2-gap 3-4 end, to a Rod Marinelli 1-gap 4-3 end. The jump is enormous as it involves scheme change, technique change, and next-level physical demands. To expect the transformation to happen suddenly is unfair no matter how high Tappers personal expectations may be.
"“Coach always [talks about] high expectations, high standards,” Tapper said. “so right now I’m for whatever the sack record is.”"
Related Story: How promising is Cowboys' pass-rusher Charles Tapper
Damontre Moore
The candidate most likely to join Charles Tapper in the battle for nickel right defensive end is former third round draft pick, Damontre Moore.
Moore, a former highly-regarded but equally as troubled draft prospect, joins the Cowboys on possibly his last chance. So far in camp he’s done the right stuff and said the right things. His play at end has stood out to everyone watching and he seems to be finally putting everything together in this his fifth NFL season.
At only 24-years-old, Moore is operating in his physical prime. All he has to do is keep those troublesome ancillary issues out of his way.
Related Story: Can Damontre Moore be a Monster Again?
The Verdict
Charles Tapper may be the most exciting edge rusher on the Dallas Cowboys but he may not be the most impactful in 2017. As said many times before, it takes time to become a legitimate NFL pass-rusher and very few players make an impact early in their careers. And for all intents and purposes, this is Charles Tapper’s rookie season.
Watching the handwork and savvy of Damontre Moore, it’s easy to see he’s the veteran of the pair. He understands how critical it is to keep the oppositions hands off of him and at times he plays possessed. As long as he can keep any off the field issues from popping up again, he should play a very significant role on the Dallas Cowboys in 2017.
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Who’s the most exciting edge player for the Cowboys? It depends on the timetable, but if both players can progress to their potential, the Dallas Cowboys may have two steals on their hands. Just look for Tapper to take a little more time in his progression.