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Could the Dallas Cowboys find another Sean Lee in this draft?

By Steven Mullenax

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Tony Brooks-James #20 of the Oregon Ducks fumbles the ball under pressure from Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Tony Brooks-James #20 of the Oregon Ducks fumbles the ball under pressure from Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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Could injury concerns surrounding their linebacker corps force the Dallas Cowboys to try and find themselves another Sean Lee in the upcoming draft?

Selected in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft, Penn State linebacker Sean Lee has proven himself to be a worthy high draft pick. Unfortunately, injuries suffered early in his career are likely to remove him from any Hall of Fame consideration.

And it’s been only fairly recently that the now 31-year old linebacker has been able to stay on the field long enough to garner national attention. Not only was Lee named to the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons starting in 2015, he was also able to play 29 of a possible 32 regular season games during that span.

Unfortunately, that reliability faltered last season, as Lee was forced to miss five games due to injury. And the Cowboys went an embarrassing 1-4 without him on the field to quarterback their defense.

Turning 32-years of age before the start of the 2018 NFL regular season, Lee is undoubtedly on the back nine of his career. And coming off an injury-laden year, can the Cowboys afford to wait any longer to try and find a “Sean Lee-type” replacement in Dallas?

According to one Cowboys’ insider, the answer could be Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch.

"” … I’m intrigued by Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch,” replied Brandon George during a writer’s roundtable for the Dallas Morning News. “He seems like a Sean Lee starter kit. He can cover sideline to sideline, is never out of position and is a sure tackler. The Cowboys love Boise State players. NFL-ready linebackers are harder and harder to find these days.”"

The Cowboys apparently love Boise State players when it comes to the defensive side of ball. Cornerback Orlando Scandrick, and defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford are all former Broncos. So is newly named quarterbacks coach Kellen Moore.

School affinity aside, Vander Esch put up some very Sean Lee-like numbers during his junior year at Boise State, racking up 141 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, five pass defends, four forced fumbles and three interceptions in 2017.

Next: Top 10 Undrafted Free Agents in Cowboys History

Vander Esch is the third highest linebacker prospect available in the upcoming draft according to NFL Network’s Mike Mayock’s 2018 draft positional rankings. Although I believe it would be a stretch for the Dallas Cowboys to draft him 19th overall, if the talented prospect falls into the second round, the Cowboys should certainly be interested.

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