Predicting which of the Cowboys 2023 free agents will stay or go

Leighton Vander Esch, LB

When Leighton Vander Esch was taken at No. 19 overall in 2018, there were plenty of frustrated fans. Their concerns were valid since Vander Esch was recovering from a neck injury and they had already just taken a shot on a linebacker with injury concerns in Jaylon Smith two years prior.

As a rookie, LVE lit up the stat sheet which quieted the critics. He had 140 tackles and two picks despite starting just 11 of the 16 games he played in. His performance, as well as a breakout season from Smith, had the Dallas defense looking loaded for years to come.

Unfortunately, things changed quickly. Smith fell off the map when he got paid and Vander Esch spent the next two seasons dealing with injuries — as was feared in 2018. Dallas elected not to pick up the fifth-year option in his contract making him a free agent this offseason.

Vander Esch did play all 17 games in 2022 but it was still a surprise to see him return on a one-year deal. It’s likely he’s just here until they figure out where to go next.

Prediction: Leaves in free agency

Trysten Hill, DT

Another unpopular pick was Trysten Hill in 2019 who was the team’s top selection that year since they traded their first-rounder to the Raiders for Amari Cooper. Hill was a favorite of former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who overlooked his red flags which included arguments with staff at UCF and his absence from the field often during his final year.

It wasn’t long before he was in Marinelli’s doghouse as well for some of the same concerns about his dedication and maturity. On top of those problems, Hill has only appeared in 18 games throughout his first three seasons due in large part to injuries.

Most teams would have given up on him already but Dallas is so thin at defensive tackle that he should get one more season to prove himself. In the end, though, it feels like this isn’t a long-term player for this coaching staff.

Prediction: Leaves in free agency