CCBoy
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Is Leighton Vander Esch the NFL’s top performing first rounder?
https://thelandryhat.com/2018/10/31/dallas-cowboys-leighton-vander-esch-top/
The primary positions of concern prior to the start of the first round in Dallas were mainly at wide receiver and safety. The Cowboys had just released their longtime number one wideout in Dez Bryant earlier that month. Although the previous signing of free agent wide receiver Allen Hurns did appear to cushion the blow a bit.
As for a starting safety, the Cowboys simply didn’t appear to have one. 2017 starter Byron Jones had made the shift back to corner, leaving a vacancy alongside safety Jeff Heath. Former sixth rounder Xavier Woods was the top candidate to fill the role.
With those two needs on the forefront, the Cowboys decided to selected Vander Esch with the 19th overall pick in the draft anyway, leaving many fans scratching their heads. Especially considering the top wide receiver prospect, Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, was still on the board.
But Dallas knew their defense struggled mightily when their oft-injured Pro Bowl linebacker and defensive leader Sean Lee was forced to miss games. Last season, the Cowboys lost four out of the five games Lee was sidelined due to injury. Combined with the continued rehabilitation of linebacker Jaylon Smith following a devastating knee injury he suffered in college, the Cowboys linebacker corps had many questions coming into 2018. The presence of Vander Esch eliminated those concerns...
https://thelandryhat.com/2018/10/31/dallas-cowboys-leighton-vander-esch-top/
The primary positions of concern prior to the start of the first round in Dallas were mainly at wide receiver and safety. The Cowboys had just released their longtime number one wideout in Dez Bryant earlier that month. Although the previous signing of free agent wide receiver Allen Hurns did appear to cushion the blow a bit.
As for a starting safety, the Cowboys simply didn’t appear to have one. 2017 starter Byron Jones had made the shift back to corner, leaving a vacancy alongside safety Jeff Heath. Former sixth rounder Xavier Woods was the top candidate to fill the role.
With those two needs on the forefront, the Cowboys decided to selected Vander Esch with the 19th overall pick in the draft anyway, leaving many fans scratching their heads. Especially considering the top wide receiver prospect, Alabama’s Calvin Ridley, was still on the board.
But Dallas knew their defense struggled mightily when their oft-injured Pro Bowl linebacker and defensive leader Sean Lee was forced to miss games. Last season, the Cowboys lost four out of the five games Lee was sidelined due to injury. Combined with the continued rehabilitation of linebacker Jaylon Smith following a devastating knee injury he suffered in college, the Cowboys linebacker corps had many questions coming into 2018. The presence of Vander Esch eliminated those concerns...