Pittsburgh Steelers Film Room: Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason has begun. The focus on the draft here at Still Curtain is full speed ahead and with that, I bring you the Film Room series covering a new prospect at a position of need for the Steelers every time.

The offseason has begun for all but two teams. With the Super Bowl just two weeks away, 30 other teams are beginning their offseason a little early.

With the offseason comes my favorite time of year, draft season. This time of year people are buzzing with who goes where in the draft as well as sleeper picks and much more.

The draft is the place where the future of the franchise is built. The picks made now could affect the franchise for years to come, good or bad.

This series will focus on players at positions of need for the Steelers headed into the draft. Free agency could very well change these needs but for the time being they are mostly on the defensive side of the football.

The first player I am going to showcase is an inside linebacker. With Ryan Shazier‘s health and future in football up in the air, Pittsburgh needs to address this position early in the offseason.

The linebacker I will be showcasing is Leighton Vander Esch out of Boise State University.

Profile

Name: Leighton Vander Esch

School: Boise State

Position: Linebacker

Height: 6 ft. 4 in.        Weight: 240 pounds

Games watched:

BYU vs Boise State – 6 total tackles, 1 pass defensed

San Diego State vs Boise State – 11 total tackles, 1 pass defensed, 1 TFL

Boise State vs Troy – 7 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL

Boise State vs Wyoming – 11 total tackles