2022 Defense Stats
TCKL
90
SACKS
1.0
INT
0
FF
1
TD
0
2023 Projections
2022 Fantasy Outlook
While Micah Parsons emerged as the star of the Cowboys defense last season, Vander Esch was able to make a contribution in the middle by not missing a game due to injury for the first time since he was a rookie in 2018. His weekly tackle totals were way down, however, as much due to a reduced snap count as Parsons taking away his opportunities. Vander Esch's days as an IDP asset likely are behind him, but the brittle linebacker still provides some stability to the middle of the Dallas defense when he's on the field, and he's capable of double-digit tackles in a game when he's allowed to handle a significant workload. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS

Staying in Dallas
Vander Esch is set to re-sign a two-year deal with $11 million with the Cowboys, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
Vander Esch missed three games last year and 17 games over the past four seasons, but he's been a strong run defender for the Cowboys. Although he's never come close to matching the 140 tackles he had as a rookie, the 90 stops he posted in 2022 represented the second-best season of his career. Going into his age-27 season, he'll remain an anchor for the team at middle linebacker.
Vander Esch missed three games last year and 17 games over the past four seasons, but he's been a strong run defender for the Cowboys. Although he's never come close to matching the 140 tackles he had as a rookie, the 90 stops he posted in 2022 represented the second-best season of his career. Going into his age-27 season, he'll remain an anchor for the team at middle linebacker.
NFL Stats
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2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2022 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
2022 Leighton Vander Esch Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Leighton Vander Esch's measurables compare to other linebackers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 4"Weight
256 lbs40-Yard Dash
4.65 secShuttle Time
4.15 secCone Drill
6.88 secVertical Jump
39.5 inBroad Jump
124 inBench Press
20 repsHand Length
9.75 inArm Length
44.88 in
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Leighton Vander Esch See More
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2018
The 19th overall pick in the 2018 Draft has had trouble staying healthy since his impressive rookie campaign, missing 13 games over the last two seasons. Vander Esch's per-game production declined in 2020 as well as he simply didn't look like the same player, either as a tackler or in coverage. He got the double whammy this offseason of having the fifth-year option on his rookie contract declined while watching the Cowboys draft his successor Micah Parsons with the 12th overall pick of this year's draft. If Vander Esch is 100 percent, he could still make an impact, but his snaps may be managed in an effort to keep him on the field, putting a cap on his IDP potential.
More Fantasy News

Puts together strong campaign
Vander Esch recorded 90 tackles (54 solo), including one sack, with one pass defended and one forced fumble over 14 regular-season games in 2022.
ANALYSIS
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Full go to open playoff prep
Vander Esch (neck) was a full participant during the Cowboys' practice Thursday, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Trending toward return for playoffs
Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said Monday that he's "very optimistic" about Vander Esch's (neck) status heading into the wild-card round of the playoffs, Patrik Walker of the team's official site reports.
ANALYSIS
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Out again
Vander Esch (neck) has been ruled out for Sunday's matchup against the Commanders.
ANALYSIS
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Officially ruled out
Vander Esch (neck) has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Titans, Jane Slater of NFL Network reports.
ANALYSIS
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