The Dallas Cowboys fell in love early on in the draft process with Boise State linebacker Leighton Vander Esch last offseason. And despite having a major need at wide receiver, the Cowboys stuck to their guns and selected Vander Esch with the 19th overall selection in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
And the rookie linebacker didn’t disappoint, helping the Cowboys win the NFC East title with a 10-6 record as well as post a playoff victory over the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round. Vander Esch would rack up 140 combined tackles, the third most in the NFL last season and be named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie.