Dallas Cowboys: The unexpected rise of Leighton Vander Esch

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So naturally, everyone was talking about the rookie linebacker. Now, all of America learned Vander Esch’s name. Every sports show on the internet and television was talking about the rookie sensation.

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Although it would be easy for Vander Esch to let the noise get to his head and not put as much effort into his work, the rookie kept cranking out great games.

Even later in the year, when Lee was healthy, Vander Esch continued to start and be a leader on the defense. Vander Esch lead the Cowboys and finished third in the league with 140 total tackles, per NFL.com.

The rookie was initially a Pro Bowl snub, but after Carolina’s Luke Kuechly opted out, Vander Esch was selected to represent the NFC in Orlando Florida. However, Vander Esch was named to the NFL All-Pro second team.

Despite the backlash from the fanbase, scouts, and football analysts, the assistant director of player personnel, Will McClay and the Joneses knew better.

They trusted the scouts and their guts and took a gamble on a linebacker with very little experience playing 11-man football. The Dallas Cowboys continued their trend of drafting Pro Bowl players in the first round– just take out defensive end Taco Charlton and they have a pretty good track record.

The organization found a player that is more than capable of playing at an All-Pro level for years. With Lee most likely leaving the team, at the very least not getting a substantial number of snaps, the young linebacker duo of Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith set a foundation for the defense for years to come.

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How different is your opinion on Leighton Vander Esch now than when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him? Is the Wolfhunter a rookie defensive player of the year snub? Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas in the comment section below.

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