The Landry Hat
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Dallas Cowboys: 4 players with the most to prove this summer

By Matt Holleran

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 10: Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys scores an 81 yard touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 10: Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys scores an 81 yard touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #19 overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – APRIL 26: Leighton Vander Esch of Boise State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #19 overall by the Dallas Cowboys during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

2. Leighton Vander Esch, LB

When the Cowboys selected Leighton Vander Esch with the 19th pick in this years draft, there were lots of mixed feelings about the pick from in the media.

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Some people thought Dallas should have traded up to take safety Derwin James, or taken edge rusher Harold Landry. But nonetheless, the reaction around the pick was mixed to say the least.

Vander Esch has started off his Cowboys career in a rough way, dealing with a hamstring injury the past two weeks that has kept him out of team activities.

For Vander Esch, with a first round pick comes high expectations, and lots of responsibility. He is expected to slide in as the day one starter at linebacker along with Jaylon Smith and Sean Lee, and has lofty expectations when it comes to his performance.

As a guy who made 141 total tackles in his final season at Boise State, Vander Esch clearly has the talent.

Staying healthy and producing in training camp can help him prove he was worth the 19th pick for Dallas.

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