Browns: Top 5 linebacker targets in the 2018 NFL Draft

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4. Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State

Boise State’s Leighton Vander Esch has had something of a meteoric rise within the last few weeks. Vander Esch has gone from a late day two pick, to a possible first-round pick, within the last month.

Vander Esch’s breakout season came in 2017 when he collected 141 tackles (8.5 for loss), four sacks, four batted passes, and three interceptions. The Broncos linebacker would not be denied as he terrorized opposing Mountain West offenses, including Josh Allen and the Wyoming Cowboys.

The size and speed combination that Vander Esch possesses makes him absolutely frightening for the next level. At an impressive 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, many websites project Vander Esch to run about a 4.65 second 40-yard dash.

With that kind of size and speed, mixed with Vander Esch’s tremendous instincts, the NFL is loving what the Boise State product could be at the next level. NFL.com‘s draft profile on Vander Esch compares him to Karlos Dansby and praises his body control:

"“Vander Esch is a loose-hipped, instinctive linebacker who played in 2017 like he had a GPS tracker on the football.” — Lance Zierlein"

Vander Esch is a tremendous stat stuffer with potential as an every-down defender. He is physically and mentally solid as both as pass and run defender. He has a tremendous ceiling, and if not for his injury in 2016, he may go even sooner in the 2018 NFL Draft.

All in all, Vander Esch is a complete linebacker with an incredible combination of size, speed, and instincts. He will most likely be a first-round pick this year, as he will probably test incredibly well at the Combine.

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