The more things change, the more they seem to stay the same. For as many obstacles, narratives, and criticisms Leighton Vander Esch has experienced as a Cowboy over the years, everything appears to have come full circle for the 27-year-old Boise State product.
Drafted in the first round of the 2018 draft (No. 19), Vander Esch was a criticized pick from the start. The off-ball linebacker was criticized for his position, his school, his limited experience and his injury history.
The criticism from within the Cowboys fanbase was short-lived that first year. Vander Esch put together a stellar rookie season in 2018, earning Pro Bowl honors and leading the Cowboys defense to a 10-6 record and division crown.
Unfortunately, his success would also be short-lived. Over the next two seasons, Vander Esch would only play a total of 19 regular season games. The injury concerns from his pre-draft scouting reports proved to be foretelling and Vander Esch’s career looked to be in serious jeopardy.
An injury-prone LB is nothing new to the Cowboys. They’d recently built a defense around another oft-injured LB, Sean Lee. The difference was Lee played brilliantly whenever he suited up. Vander Esch looked sapped in his limited appearances in 2019.
The lack of reps and conditioning took their toll on Vander Esch’s strength and endurance. He was a shadow of his formerly dominant self and no longer appeared to be the cornerstone player he once was.