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Pittsburgh Steelers Film Room: Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch

By Brandon Kring

BOISE, ID - DECEMBER 2: Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #38 and quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos hoist the championship trophy at the conclusion of the Mountain West Championship game against the Fresno State Bulldogs on December 2, 2017 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 17-14. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - DECEMBER 2: Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch #38 and quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos hoist the championship trophy at the conclusion of the Mountain West Championship game against the Fresno State Bulldogs on December 2, 2017 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won the game 17-14. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Tony Brooks-James #20 of the Oregon Ducks fumbles the ball under pressure from Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Tony Brooks-James #20 of the Oregon Ducks fumbles the ball under pressure from Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos during the first half of the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

The Positive Traits

Leighton Vander Esch has great size for an NFL linebacker. Standing at 6’4″ 240 pounds, he has a solid frame to withstand the middle linebacker life at the highest level of football.

Vander Esch is a tackle machine shown by his 2017 season in which he played all 14 games for the Broncos. He tallied 91 solo tackles and added 50 assists to bring his total to 141.

His tape shows why he is such a good tackler and that is the way he keeps himself square to the line of scrimmage. He is able to diagnose and attack plays while seeing the entire field.

Staying square to the line of scrimmage also allows him to see the field. He is not blazing fast but he has the speed to cover the field sideline to sideline.

His coverage ability is one of the best in this year’s crop. He had two interceptions and five passes defensed in his junior season.

Vander Esch has a sure form in his tackling which results in very few whiffs and misses. He brings the ball-carrier down to the ground a lot more often than not.

Because he was only a one year, full-time starter, his ability is just beginning to be tapped. He is raw, as are most rookies, but he has starting ability written all over him though he may start out on special teams.

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