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Cowboys draft sack machine, workout freak Oklahoma DE Charles Tapper in Round 4

The Cowboys waited until the fourth round but they finally addressed defensive end, selecting Oklahoma's Charles Tapper.

The 6-3, 271-pound edge rusher had seven sacks last season and 15.5 over the last three seasons.

Other than working out with defensive line coach Leon Lett at the Senior Bowl, Tapper said he didn't have much contact with the Cowboys before the draft.

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"I'm definitely glad to be a Cowboy," Tapper, who turned in an impressive 4.59 40-yard dash time at the combine, said during his official call from Jerry Jones. "Thanks for the opportunity, that's all I needed.

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Tapper didn't start playing football until the summer before his junior year in high school. Why? His mother gave him a choice: play football or get a job.

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"Playing with that star on my [helmet] means everything," Tapper said during a Saturday conference call with reporters at Valley Ranch. "I'm looking forward to the opportunity. So many great D-linemen have played for Dallas. I'm just looking forward to filling their shoes like I did at Oklahoma."

From our predraft profile

Charles Tapper, defensive end

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Height: 6-3

Weight: 271

Projected round: 3

Tapper's athleticism at his size made him a sack machine at Oklahoma. He's got the size to play at the next level, and he certainly turned heads at the NFL combine with his 40 yard dash time (4.59).

Mock Drafts:

97th overall (3rd round) to Seattle, ESPN's Mel Kiper

136th overall (4th round) to Denver, NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler

129th overall (4th round) to Carolina, NFL.com's Chad Reuter

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124th overall (4th round) to Seattle, DraftSite.com's DJ Boyer

What they're saying:

Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com: "Possessing a stout frame and surprising overall athleticism, Tapper is a quality all-around defensive lineman offering positional and scheme versatility. That combination will likely will earn Tapper a spot in the top 100, even though he was a bit inconsistent over his career.

Lance Zierlein of NFL.com: "Based on his 2015 tape, Tapper would be a late round pick at best. Tapper doesn't make enough plays against the run and doesn't possess the traits to believe he'll be an effective pass rusher as a pro. However, if he can improve his pad level and hand usage, he has enough strength to project into an eventual starter or rotation lineman role."

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Charles Tapper

Position: Defensive end

Pick: No. 101 overall (3rd pick in the fourth round)

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College: Oklahoma

Ht., Wt.: 6-4, 281

Notable: Tapper grew up playing basketball in his native Baltimore before focusing on football his junior year of high school. He had seven sacks, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles as a senior in 2015. He turned heads with his 4.59 40-yard dash time at the scouting combine. He would like to emulate Terrell Suggs, Michael Bennett and Robert Quinn. He dropped weight from about 290 pounds to be able to show off more athleticism last season.

Quote: "The depth chart is pretty short, and I am hoping to step in and help. ... Whatever it takes -- if I have to start out on special teams -- whatever it takes, I am going to do."