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Leighton Vander Esch Scouting Report

3,645 views · Published 24 April 2018 · 6:56 · Indexed 20 October 2026

Channel: schlegdaddytv · 2018 · Sports

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6'4" 256 lbs.
RS Junior
BOISE STATE
SIZE:    10.5
- Ideal height and weight for position
- Arms almost 34", giving him great length for position
QUICKNESS/SPEED:  9.5
- Ran 4.65 40yd at Combine
- Vertical of 39.5" and broad jump of 10'4" speaks to explosive power
- 3 cone drill of 6.88s shows some change of direction ability
- Decent quickness but not super explosive
- Top speed plays better than 40 time at Combine
RANGE:    9.5
- Quickness and speed gives him sideline to sideline ability
- Sporadic misses on reading play can impact range slightly
- Generally takes decent angles to the football
RUN DEFENSE:   9.0
- Needs to develop hand usage to help shed blocks
- Can too easily get sealed off in running game
- Effective in pursuit and sideline chase
- Tackling is solid but needs to get stronger
COVERAGE SKILLS:  9.0
- Has feel for where to drop in zone
- Fluid hips to turn quickly and run with receiver
- Able to turn and run with RBs and TEs easily
- Can lose the back out of the backfield
PASS RUSH ABILITY:  8.5
- Flashes some ability to get to QB inside and off the edge
- Quickness and speed to close quickly on QB rolling out of pocket
- Will need better hand usage to disengage blocks better
- Has some upside as a surprise bull rusher
TACKLING/FINISHING PLAYS: 9.0
- Generally does a good job of squaring to target and wrapping up
- Lack of game strength shows as runners get yards after initial touch
- Always seems to be around the football
INSTINCTS/AWARENESS:  8.0
- Able to turn head and locate the ball in coverage
- Could use a little improvement in run/pass play recognition
- A few lapses/blown assignments in coverage
- Able to locate his gap and explode to it
- Can get caught up with blocker and forget to locate the ball
- Just always seems to be around the ball
EFFORT/MOTOR:   9.0
- Demonstrates consistent, hard effort trying to get off blocks
- Effort in pursuit to chase down plays is very good
- Has some plays where he could play at higher speed
- At times could be better at attacking gang tackles
DEPENDABILITY/DURABILITY: 8.5
- Team captain in 2017
- Only one year as a starter, lots of room for growth, big upside
- Missed over half of 2016 season due to injuries
- Has size and skills to play in 4-3 or 3-4, inside or outside


NFL COMPARISON: Brian Cushing
FINAL GRADE: 90.5 

GRADING SCALE
90.0 - 100 1ST ROUND
86.5 - 89.99 2ND ROUND
83.0 - 86.49 3RD ROUND
79.5 - 82.99 4TH ROUND
76.0 - 79.49 5TH ROUND
72.5 - 75.99 6TH ROUND
70.0 - 72.49 7TH ROUND

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