Cowboys Draft Leighton Vander Esch After Dez Bryant Release; Dak Prescott Hyped

The Dallas Cowboys selected Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch with the No. 19 pick in the first round. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Vander Esch has been a long-term target for the Cowboys:

Cowboys cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and quarterback Dak Prescott welcomed their new teammate:

Here's how others reacted to the pick:

Vander Esch was nothing short of superb in 2017, totaling 141 tackles (8.5 for loss), four sacks and four forced fumbles in his junior campaign. That earned him the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award.

He also saved his best for last, registering 12 tackles (three for loss), a sack and a forced fumble in the team's Las Vegas Bowl matchup against Oregon.

"I could make the argument that his tape against Oregon was as good an off-the-ball-linebacker tape as I've seen in five years," NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock told Peter King of the MMQB in February.

NFL.com's Lance Zierlein, who compared Vander Esch to Karlos Dansby, offered the following scouting report on the rookie linebacker:

"Vander Esch is a loose-hipped, instinctive linebacker who played in 2017 like he had a GPS tracker on the football. His production totals against both the run and pass are rare for being a first-year starter, and with a frame that is primed for more muscle, his NFL ceiling is high. Vander Esch might benefit from a reduced role his rookie season while he improves his play strength and becomes more skilled at taking on blocks. He's an every-down linebacker with very good starting potential and the talent to fill up a stat sheet."

He certainly tested well at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.65 40-yard dash while putting up 20 reps on the bench press and measuring in at 6'4" and 256 pounds. While he could use some added strength and his technique and play diagnosing is still evolving, his size, athleticism and nose for the football are all major pluses.

Certainly, there's no questioning his potential, which the Cowboys will hope translates into stardom at the NFL level.