Cowboys grab LB Leighton Vander Esch at No. 19

The Dallas Cowboys have selected linebacker Leighton Vander Esch out of Boise State with the 19th overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Vander Esch, the 2017 Mountain West Conference defensive player of the year, is a tackling machine who will instantly add solid depth for the Cowboys' linebacking core.

Star linebacker Sean Lee has struggled with injuries throughout his career and the addition of Vander Esch certainly gives them some options at a very important spot on defense.

Leighton Vander Esch Bio

Position: LB
School: Boise State
College Experience: Redshirt Junior
Height: 6-4
Weight: 256 lbs

Strengths

• Explosive athlete both in the weight room and on the field.
• Already a high-level run defender; had more tackles at or behind the line of scrimmage than any other linebacker in this draft class.
• Plays fast and offers sideline-to-sideline range.
• Drops smoothly in zone coverage and aware of his assignments.
• Put his hands on a number of passes in 2017; recorded five passes defensed and two interceptions.
• Possesses ideal measurables for his position in any defensive scheme.

Weaknesses

• While pursuing, he will often try to go around blockers rather than attack them head-on.
• Had a few too many missed tackles in the open field in 2017.
• Only one season of starting experience.
• Needs to add strength; gets pushed around by blockers at the second level.

Athletic testing