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Leighton Vander Esch
Leighton Vander Esch
21-Year-Old LinebackerLB
Dallas Cowboys
2018 Defense Stats
TCKL
10
SACKS
0
INT
0
FF
0
TD
0
ROS Defense Projections
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TD
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2018 Fantasy Outlook
The 19th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Vander Esch joins a Cowboys linebacking corps packed with talent but also fraught with uncertainty. The Boise State product has outstanding speed and athleticism for his size, giving him plenty of upside in a three-down role as he racks up tackles, handles coverage assignments and makes the occasional blitzing foray. Whether he sees a three-down role on a roster that already features oft-injured Sean Lee and third-year LB Jaylon Smith is the big question, but Dallas' initial depth chart lists the rookie as the starting middle linebacker, seemingly putting him ahead of Smith in nickel packages. There were also concerns about a possible neck issue prior to the draft, but the Cowboys presumably didn't consider him a health risk when they used a first-round pick on him. If the workload is there for Vander Esch, elite production could follow. Read Past Outlooks
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Height 6'4"
Weight 256
DOB 2/9/1997
College Boise State
Drafted 1st Rd 2018
$Signed a four-year, $11.85 million contract with the Cowboys in May of 2018.
Absent from injury report
LBDallas Cowboys
September 5, 2018
Vander Esch (groin) does not appear on the injury report ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Panthers, Jori Epstein of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
Vander Esch was sidelined most of the preseason due to a groin injury he picked up in practice Aug. 15. However, the rookie's absence from the injury report suggests he's since put this ordeal behind him. In turn, Vander Esch is fully on track to make his regular-season debut this weekend.
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Leighton Vander Esch NFL Stats
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Leighton Vander Esch NFL Game Log
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Depth Chart Status
#2 ILB1
DAL ILB1 Depth Chart
View the full Dallas Cowboys depth chart
Snap Counts
  • 2018 Defensive Snaps:
    45
  • 2018 Special Teams Snaps:
    23
 
Def Snaps:
ST Snaps:
2016
2017
2018
45
23
Measurables Overview

(Compared to other LBs)

Height:   6' 4"
BELOW AVERAGE
Weight:   256 lbs
BELOW AVERAGE
40-Yard Dash:   4.65 sec
ELITE
Shuttle Time:   4.15 sec
ELITE
Cone Drill:   6.88 sec
ELITE
Arm Length:   44.88 in
ABOVE AVERAGE
Hand Length:   9.75 in
BELOW AVERAGE
Vertical Jump:   40 in
ELITE
Broad Jump:   124 in
ELITE
Bench Press:   20 reps
POOR
Dallas Cowboys Team Injury Report
Questionable
Doubtful
Out
Questionable
Doubtful
Out
More Fantasy News
Will rejoin practice this week
LBDallas Cowboys
Groin
September 4, 2018
Vander Esch (groin) will make his return to practice at some point this week, Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.
ANALYSIS
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Unlikely to practice this week
LBDallas Cowboys
Groin
August 21, 2018
Vander Esch (groin) isn't expected to practice before Sunday's preseason game against the Cardinals, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Expected to sit out preseason game
LBDallas Cowboys
Groin
August 16, 2018
Vander Esch (groin) is not expected to take the field during Saturday's preseason game against the Bengals, Brandon George of The Dallas Morning News reports.
ANALYSIS
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Suffers groin strain Thursday
LBDallas Cowboys
Groin
August 15, 2018
Vander Esch left practice early Thursday after suffering a groin strain during team drills, the Dallas Morning News reports. Owner Jerry Jones indicated afterward that, "it didn't seem serious," also indicating that he was held out for precautionary reasons.
ANALYSIS
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Active in training camp
LBDallas Cowboys
July 27, 2018
Vander Esch (ankle) was a participant in the opening day of training camp Thursday, Jon Machota of the Dallas-Fort Worth Sports News reports. "I'm ready to go, 100 percent. Ready to start running around and practicing," the linebacker said.
ANALYSIS
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