35. Leighton Vander Esch is one of the most athletic inside linebackers that has ever entered the NFL Draft. I think he is one of the most excited players to watch because he zooms around the football field like a sports car. Vander Esch is a victim of his draft class. Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds aren’t found every year and they got picked before him. Most years a player like Vander Esch would be the undisputed number one linebacker. Vander Esch is a linebacker for the pass happy NFL that we have now. He has the ability to be just as good as Luke Kuechly, if not better. That shows you how special this group of linebackers is.. LB. Boise St.. Leighton Vander Esch. 25. player