The Landry Hat
Fansided

Dallas Cowboys 2018 Draft Profile: Leighton Vander Esch

By Matt Holleran

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

With a clear hole to fill at a starting linebacker spot, could the Dallas Cowboys look at Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, in the NFL Draft?

Today our draft profile series continues, as we look at a player who would fill maybe the most glaring need on the Dallas Cowboys‘ roster, post the first two weeks of free-agency.
Leighton Vander Esch is a 6’4 264 lb, junior linebacker from Boise State.

In his 2017 season, in 14 games, Vander Esch tallied 141 total tackles, 91 solo, 8.5 tackles for loss, and 4 sacks. He also forced four fumbles on the season, showing his ability to take the ball away on defense.

With an outstanding season in 2017, Vander Esch finished fifth in the entire NCAA in total tackles, second in the NCAA in solo tackles, and seventh in the NCAA in forced fumbles. He burst onto the scene, and quickly became thought of as a high value draft prospect.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Vander Esch also put up solid numbers. He ran a 6.88 3 cone drill, fifth best of all linebackers, an 11.57 60 yard shuttle, second best among all linebackers, and a 4.15 20 yard shuttle, again second among all linebackers.

His combine numbers show Vander Esch’s athletic ability, and that he is very agile and can move side to side with ease, something an NFL linebacker desperately needs.

Vander Esch’s biggest strength is his knack for always being around the ball, shown by his outstanding tackle totals in 2017. He has great burst, and can move and change direction with ease, making him hard to block in the run game.

The Boise State linebacker also is very solid for a linebacker in coverage, he is very instinctive, and can drop back and play zone, or cover a tight end.

Vander Esch also has ability to rush the quarterback, shown by his four sacks in the 2017 season.

The Dallas Cowboys and Leighton Vander Esch seem like a perfect match. Vander Esch would be great to fill the hole left by the departure of Anthony Hitchens, and would be a great fit in the Cowboys system.

Pairing him with Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith, the Cowboys would have a solid core group of linebackers, and Lee and Vander Esch on the field at the same time would be a tackling machine.

Next: Cowboys' free agency allows for draft versatility

With the recent additions to the wide receiver and offensive line positions in free agency, if linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Roquan Smith don’t fall, don’t be surprised if you see the Dallas Cowboys pick Vander Esch at pick 19 in this year’s draft.  

Home/Cowboys Draft