Leighton Vander Esch

Dallas Cowboys 19th pick

OLB ·

Boise State · 2018–2023

Games

296

Solo Tackles

3.5

Sacks

Interceptions

Leighton Vander Esch is a former outside linebacker out of Boise State, selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 19th overall pick (round 1) in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played 71 regular-season games from 2018 to 2023, with the Dallas Cowboys. He was named to 1 Pro Bowl.

Draft Details

Year

2018

Round

Round 1

Pick

19th overall

Team

Dallas Cowboys

Position

OLB

College

Boise State

Leighton Vander Esch Career Stats

1× Pro Bowl selection.
Primary starter for 5 seasons.

Defense

Season	Team	G	Solo	Ast	TFL	Sacks	QB Hits	INT	PD	FF
2018	DAL	16	97	38	2	0	1	2	7	0
2019	DAL	9	41	29	1	0.5	1	0	3	1
2020	DAL	10	29	28	1	1	1	0	0	1
2021	DAL	17	43	29	3	1	1	1	2	0
2022	DAL	13	47	36	2	1	1	0	1	1
2023	DAL	5	14	13	1	0	0	0	0	0
Career		70	271	173	10	3.5	5	3	13	3

G = games with at least one recorded statistic; the career games total in the summary above includes every game played.

Source: nflverse · Updated Sep 28, 2026

NFL Combine Results

Height

6-4

Weight

256 lbs

40-Yard Dash

4.65s

Bench Press

20 reps

Vertical Jump

39.5"

Broad Jump

124"

3-Cone Drill

6.88s

Shuttle

4.15s

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