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Dallas Cowboys fans: If Leighton Vander Esch is the pick, celebrate!

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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Despite some negative press in the past few months, if the Dallas Cowboys make linebacker Leighton Vander Esch their top pick, it’s time to celebrate!

For the past several weeks now, Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has been a rumored favorite to become the Dallas Cowboys‘ top selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. But due to his lack of experience and some negative reviews by draft analysts, many fans may be dreading the pick if Vander Esch is the name that is actually called on Thursday night.

But take heart Cowboy fans! If the 22-year old linebacker is the team’s selection at #19, Dallas has landed themselves an ascending prospect that could eventually turn into a Pro Bowler-type player for America’s Team.

A one-year starter for the Broncos, Vander Esch has garnered comparisons to a young Luke Kuechly, Karlos Dansby, former 11-year veteran Chad Greenway and recent Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher despite his lack of experience.

A product of eight-man football, Vander Esch was a walk-on at Boise State who rose up the ranks to become the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference with 141 total tackles last year.

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According to Pro Football Focus, the young linebacker also led the nation in run stop percentage (16.2%) and total defensive stops. PFF actually has Vander Esch ranked as the number two linebacker in this draft class, behind Georgia’s Roquan Smith and surprisingly ahead of Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds.

The 6-foot-4, 256 pound Vander Esch has only scratched the surface of his potential. He has the size and speed to have an instant impact on this Cowboys’ defense. Playing alongside Pro Bowler Sean Lee and a rising Jaylon Smith, adding this rookie to the depth chart would solidify their linebacker corps as one of the best and brightest in the NFL.

The biggest knocks on Vander Esch is his lack of experience and overall football awareness. He’ll can find himself out of position at times being too aggressive. And Vander Esch can also struggle breaking away from blockers, getting washed down the line far too often. But, most still agree that he has the physical tools to succeed at the next level.

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Despite some of the negative press, Leighton Vander Esch is a top-tier linebacker prospect who deserves to be drafted in the first round of the NFL draft. If the Dallas Cowboys opt to select him with the 19th overall selection, they’ve landed themselves a promising rookie who appears to have a very big future ahead of him. And fans should celebrate!

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