Leighton Vander Esch NFL Draft 2018: Scouting Report for Dallas Cowboys' Pick

POSITIVES

—Big (6'4", 256 lbs) and long (33 ⅞" arms) with excellent speed and agility.

—Three-down impact player who was used as a blitzer and asked to carry tight ends in coverage.

—Awesome instincts in the middle of the field allowed him to live around the football.

—Hips and feet show up as special in coverage. He can turn and run in-phase with tight ends.

—Fluid, smooth mover whether he's running down a ball-carrier or backpedaling in coverage.

—Timing and instincts as a blitzer allowed him to have a huge impact.

NEGATIVES

—One-year wonder who was banged up prior to 2017.

—Can play tall at times with stiff knees.

—Durability concerns were mentioned by scouts given his injury history.

—Not always an effective stacker of blocks and must better use his length to stay clean.

Leighton Vander Esch LB NFL Draft

OVERALL

A former basketball standout in high school, Leighton Vander Esch is one of the best all-around defenders in the class. He's also still developing physically on an already dominant frame. Whether he's playing in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme, Vander Esch looks like a Day 1 starter.

GRADE: 7.05 (Round 1)

PRO PLAYER COMPARISON: Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers