LeightonVander Esch
LBLB#55Boise State
6'4" • 256lbs • 29y/oDraft Eligibility:2018
- Overall Grade '17
- 86
- 16th/391 - LBs
- Snap Count '17
- 719
- 99th/1417 - LBs
- Tackles '17
- 98
- 5th/391 - LBs
- Pressures '17
- 14
- 95th/391 - LBs
Leighton
Vander Esch
LB
#55
|
Boise State
Summary Bio
Summary Bio
Last updated: 10/30/2026
Leighton Vander Esch was a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys who earned a 86.0 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2017 season, 16th among 391 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 74.1 ranked 77th among 391 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 87.7 ranked 15th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 69.3 ranked 103rd among qualified linebackers.
He recorded 98 solo tackles on the season. Vander Esch generated 14 total pressures including 3 sacks as a blitzer. He allowed a 92.0 passer rating when targeted in coverage. He was charged with 7 missed tackles over the course of the year.
Career
Career
Teams
Year
Dallas Cowboys
2018 - 2023
Boise State Broncos
2014 - 2017
Honors
Honors
Honor
Year
AP second-team All-Pro
2018
PFF101
2018
PFF second-team All-Pro
2018
Pro Bowl selection
2018
PFF Grades
PFF Grades
2017
Regular
Players receive a ranking if they qualify 25% of the maximum targets, run attempts or dropbacks at the position (depending on the metric).
OVERALL GRADE
86.0
AVG
16th/391 LBs
RUN DEFENSE GRADE
87.7
AVG
15th/391 LBs
PASS RUSH GRADE
69.3
AVG
103rd/391 LBs
COVERAGE GRADE
74.1
AVG
77th/391 LBs
Highest Graded Games
Highest Graded Games
@ CAFR
88.7
Week 13, 2017
@ ORUN
86.6
Week BG, 2017
@ CASS
80.2
Week 7, 2017
Lowest Graded Games
Lowest Graded Games
vs WYUN
47.9
Week 8, 2017
@ UTBY
55
Week 6, 2017
@ UTST
58.9
Week 9, 2017
Grades by Game
Grades by Game
There's no Grades by Game data available for this player.
Season Stats
Season Stats
2017
Regular
Players receive a ranking if they qualify 25% of the maximum targets, run attempts or dropbacks at the position (depending on the metric).
SOLO TACKLES
98
5th/391 LBs
SACKS
3
72nd/391 LBs
ASSISTS
16
133rd/391 LBs
FORCED FUMBLES
3
3rd/391 LBs
Defense
View in Premium Stats
Rank
5
th
Solo Tackles
98
133
rd
Assists
16
3
rd
Forced Fumbles
3
7
th
Stops
60
72
nd
Sacks
3
142
nd
Missed Tackles
7
160
th
Passer Rating Allowed
92
95
th
Total Pressures
14
Rank
99
th
Total Snaps
719
141
st
Run Defense Snaps
316
76
th
Pass Rush Snaps
81
75
th
Coverage Snaps
322
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