Dallas Cowboys: Sean Lee can’t wait to mentor Leighton Vander Esch

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee gives his two cents about the team’s first round selection, Leighton Vander Esch, and can’t wait to mentor him.

There were mixed reviews when the Dallas Cowboys made Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch the 19th overall selection in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft late last month. The 22-year old is expected to be the Cowboys’ starter at middle linebacker, bookended by third-year defender Jaylon Smith and longtime veteran Sean Lee.

The Cowboys felt it was necessary to add Vander Esch to their linebacker corps after losing Anthony Hitchens to the Kansas City Chiefs via free agency earlier this offseason. Combine that with injury concerns surrounding both Smith and Lee as starters, and the position was a vital one for Dallas to fill in the draft.

At 6-foot-4, 256 pounds, Vander Esch combines his impressive frame with the speed of a much smaller player. His size and quickness remind some of a young Luke Kuechly or Brian Urlacher. Although those who wish to temper expectations say a better comparison might be former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway, who had a terrific 11-year career in the NFL.

During his senior year with the Broncos, Vander Esch racked up 141 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, two interceptions, five pass defends and forced four fumbles in 14 games. Unfortunately, that was the young man’s lone season as a starter, so there are some concerns about his overall lack of experience.

Surely, the hope of many Cowboy fans is that Lee, a two-time Pro Bowler himself, will take the young rookie linebacker under his wing and mentor him. When asked about Vander Esch, the 31-year old All-Pro only had great things to say about Dallas’ latest first round pick.

"“Personality-wise you can tell [Vander Esch’s] a guy who loves football … You can tell he has a sense of urgency to be a great, great linebacker,” Lee told the Ben and Skin show on 105.3 The Fan. “Being able to watch a little bit of tape of him, there’s not a lot of 6-5, 250-pound linebackers who move like they’re 230, long, who have instincts in space, who can make plays … You can tell he’s the complete package. So I can’t wait to get him in and work with him.”"

If not for injuries, Lee could be a Hall of Fame candidate. Now, on the wrong side of 30, the best fans can likely hope for is that the veteran imparts his wisdom and work ethic to both Smith and Vander Esch. Each represent the future of America’s Team on the defensive side of the ball.

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For Leighton Vander Esch, he also carries the lumbering expectations that come with being a first round pick and will be expected to produce from day one. According to Sean Lee, this is a young man that wants to be great. And if he’s a willing student, Vander Esch could exceed those lofty expectations learning from one of the Cowboys’ greatest defenders.