Dallas Cowboys: The unexpected rise of Leighton Vander Esch

The Dallas Cowboys hit a home run in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft, but the pick came with criticism. Let’s recall Leighton Vander Esch’s rise.

Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 19th pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. And the reaction from Cowboys Nation to that selection was not as kind as the reaction the crowd gives when Vander Esch makes a drive-stopping tackle.

Most Cowboys’ fans were actually pretty bummed out over Dallas taking Vander Esch. Sports commentator and supposed “Cowboys’ fan”, Skip Bayless, had this to say that night:

And it was not just that crazy guy who thought it was a bad pick. Many fans thought the Cowboys should have traded up a little bit to grab the safety, Derwin James, or draft either receivers D.J. Moore or Calvin Ridley.

Both picks would have been great additions to the Cowboys, have no doubt about that. The Carolina Panthers found a great young receiver in Moore, the Los Angeles Chargers added an All-Pro with James, and the Atlanta Falcons landed a big-time play-maker in Ridley.

However, the Cowboys absolutely nailed their pick with Vander Esch. After the press conference that night, owner/general manager Jerry Jones compared the rookie’s skill set to former Cowboys’ linebacker, Rolando McClain, per the SMU Daily Campus.

"“(He reminds me of) Rolando McClain as far as being able to cover the gaps as well as drop back and get to the windows and basically have the span and the instinct to give us the pass defense we want."

By just looking at Vander Esch’s college tape, one could see his pass defense abilities. The real question was whether or not Vander Esch was physical enough to get off blocks and drive through tackles. The Cowboys believed he could.

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