Dallas Cowboys: Leighton Vander Esch greater than Calvin Ridley?

If Sunday’s victory over the Atlanta Falcons proved one thing, it was the fact the Dallas Cowboys were right to draft Leighton Vander Esch over Calvin Ridley.

For the majority of prospects selected in the NFL draft, it takes years to know if a team made the right choice or not. And in most cases, there will always be someone better that could have been taken instead.

For the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday’s 22-19 victory over the Atlanta Falcons helped to solidify one lingering draft question. Rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was a better choice for the Cowboys then wide receiver Calvin Ridley.

Both Vander Esch and Ridley were available when Dallas’ number was called in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, 18th overall. The Cowboys opted to draft the Boise State defender over the Alabama wideout, despite have a bigger need at receiver.

Ridley would go on to be drafted by the Falcons 26th overall. And at first, it appeared Atlanta had gotten the better end of the deal with their young receiver posting a whopping six touchdowns in his first four games. But the 23-year old’s production has slowed ever since.

For Vander Esch in Dallas, his play has been steadily increasing, having recorded his three highest tackle totals within the past six weeks. More importantly, the rookie linebacker has played well in place of injured two-time Pro Bowler Sean Lee.

Vander Esch was drafted in large part due to the vast injury history of the now 32-year old Lee. And that choice became prophetic when the veteran defender was forced to the sidelined once again this season due to hamstring issues.

But the answer to the draft dilemma whether Vander Esch or Ridley was the better choice for Dallas became much clearer over the weekend when the two teams meet in a pivotal matchup. Both 4-5 squads needed the victory to keep their slimming playoff hopes alive. And it would be the rookie defender that shined the brightest.

Vander Esch was able to record eight total tackles, three pass defends and an interception in the last second-win for the Cowboys. In fact, his second pick in as many games came from a dropped pass by none other than Ridley himself. The rookie wide receiver would post just three catches for 32 yards in an underwhelming performance.

Years from now, Calvin Ridley could be entering the Pro Football Hall of Fame. And linebacker Leighton Vander Esch might be just another prospect who flashed potential once but never reached it. But 11 weeks into their rookie seasons in the NFL, and it appears that Vander Esch was absolutely the right choice for the Cowboys over Ridley.