Patriots Draft Profile, Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise St.

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots Draft Profile, Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise St.

Steve Balestrieri

Prior to the NFL Combine, he gained 16 pounds and came in at 256. And he still moved as smoothly in coverage during the drills and covered a lot of ground. That shows maturity and the mindset to put the work in.

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[Kontradiction]

I don't think he's getting past the Steelers if he even makes it that far. But he would look great with a Flying Elvis on his helmet.

 

[maineman209]

I don't think he's getting past the Steelers if he even makes it that far. But he would look great with a Flying Elvis on his helmet.

The picks required to move up to #27 (NOL), #26 (ATL) or even #25 (TEN) don't seem that horribly costly.

How the Pats feel about their OT situation and any OT prospect who might fall into the same range may complicate the issue. I have a feeling, though, that the Pats will be able figure out a way to work around the OT situation, so an ILB/MLB might ultimately have more value.

 

[mgteich]

The picks required to move up to #27 (NOL), #26 (ATL) or even #25 (TEN) don't seem that horribly costly.

How the Pats feel about their OT situation and any OT prospect who might fall into the same range may complicate the issue. I have a feeling, though, that the Pats will be able figure out a way to work around the OT situation, so an ILB/MLB might ultimately have more value.

our 3rd

 

[DW Toys]

our 3rd

Consolation prize: Josey Jewell and a natural match Iowa kid.
Get your O Tackle, then TE then Jewell then QB
DW Toys

 

[maineman209]

our 3rd

One way or another.

A trade with NOL at #27 would probably get their 4th-rounder (#127) in return.

A trade with TEN (#25) would probably cost the #31 & #95 straight up.

 

[Ross12]

That'd be sweet. I really do hope they move up a bit to grab him, it would be worth it.

 

[Ross12]

I don't think he's getting past the Steelers if he even makes it that far. But he would look great with a Flying Elvis on his helmet.

[obligatory "but Pat Patriot is better" post here]

 

[primetime]

One year wonders in questionable conferences make me leery. Great athlete but I worry he doesn't seem to have instincts for the position. He overpursues and takes bad angles, and he's often a step late in coverage not because of his athletic traits but because he took too long to diagnose a route. You can scheme around physical limitations to some degree but you can't scheme around instincts.

I don't mind him but I won't be disappointed if someone else takes him. He's going to rise much higher than he should because teams are going to fall in love with his physical traits and workouts. I look at him as a solid mid-late 2nd rounder who's going to go mid-late 1st because of the combine.

I think Josey Jewell is a better prospect and is likely to be available with each of the Patriots' selections in the 2nd round. That said, Jewell worries me a bit because I think his frame is maxed out at 230 lb. and I think that takes him off the board as a Patriots linebacker.

I like Fred Warner from BYU more than Vander Esch too. I'm surprised he isn't getting a lot of attention. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Patriots interested in the 2nd round. A bit of a Jamie Collins vibe from him.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

One year wonders in questionable conferences make me leery. Great athlete but I worry he doesn't seem to have instincts for the position. He overpursues and takes bad angles, and he's often a step late in coverage not because of his athletic traits but because he took too long to diagnose a route. You can scheme around physical limitations to some degree but you can't scheme around instincts.

I don't mind him but I won't be disappointed if someone else takes him. He's going to rise much higher than he should because teams are going to fall in love with his physical traits and workouts. I look at him as a solid mid-late 2nd rounder who's going to go mid-late 1st because of the combine.

I think Josey Jewell is a better prospect and is likely to be available with each of the Patriots' selections in the 2nd round. That said, Jewell worries me a bit because I think his frame is maxed out at 230 lb. and I think that takes him off the board as a Patriots linebacker.

I like Fred Warner from BYU more than Vander Esch too. I'm surprised he isn't getting a lot of attention. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Patriots interested in the 2nd round. A bit of a Jamie Collins vibe from him.

I'm not sure if you saw my response earlier, but I mentioned why I'd still take LVE over the other three, despite his inconsistencies and areas for growth.

3 down MLB - finding the elusive beast

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

If we're going to trade up for an LB, I think I'd rather have this guy:

 

[primetime]

If we're going to trade up for an LB, I think I'd rather have this guy:

Evans is due for a tumble. His potential is tied up in his supposed athleticism and rawness, but his testing numbers were terrible; he shares an athletic profile with guys like Nathan Peterman and Kevin Hogan.

I'd look at Evans more as an undersized EDGE player in the Derek Barnett mold than an off-ball linebacker. But keep in mind Barnett was an extremely polished technician and productive college edge rusher, while Evans is raw. I wouldn't pick him.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Evans is due for a tumble. His potential is tied up in his supposed athleticism and rawness, but his testing numbers were terrible; he shares an athletic profile with guys like Nathan Peterman and Kevin Hogan.

I'd look at Evans more as an undersized EDGE player in the Derek Barnett mold than an off-ball linebacker. But keep in mind Barnett was an extremely polished technician and productive college edge rusher, while Evans is raw. I wouldn't pick him.

He was still dealing with a groin injury at the Combine. That is why he didn't run a 40. He is retesting everything on the 28th, I believe. I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up significantly better numbers across the board. I like him better as an inside player rather than an outside guy. When he was healthy, his coverage was pretty solid. His closing speed jumps off the tape. Textbook tackler. Really solid player if he's fully recovered.

 

[IllegalContact]

One year wonders in questionable conferences make me leery. Great athlete but I worry he doesn't seem to have instincts for the position. He overpursues and takes bad angles, and he's often a step late in coverage not because of his athletic traits but because he took too long to diagnose a route. You can scheme around physical limitations to some degree but you can't scheme around instincts.

I don't mind him but I won't be disappointed if someone else takes him. He's going to rise much higher than he should because teams are going to fall in love with his physical traits and workouts. I look at him as a solid mid-late 2nd rounder who's going to go mid-late 1st because of the combine.

I think Josey Jewell is a better prospect and is likely to be available with each of the Patriots' selections in the 2nd round. That said, Jewell worries me a bit because I think his frame is maxed out at 230 lb. and I think that takes him off the board as a Patriots linebacker.

I like Fred Warner from BYU more than Vander Esch too. I'm surprised he isn't getting a lot of attention. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Patriots interested in the 2nd round. A bit of a Jamie Collins vibe from him.

Do you have any basis at all on vander esch or are you just guessing?

The dude is outstanding in coverage and if he has weaknesses it’s taking on blocks.

As for jewell......it’s the LB version of Richards ... too slow and too small....we need to get more athletic not less

Size is an issue with Warner

 

[primetime]

Do you have any basis at all on vander esch or are you just guessing?

The dude is outstanding in coverage and if he has weaknesses it’s taking on blocks.

As for jewell......it’s the LB version of Richards ... too slow and too small....we need to get more athletic not less

Size is an issue with Warner

I've watched film. He's often a step late in coverage. In college he'd often still make the play because he has the athleticism to close but he won't have that luxury in the pros.

Here's an example of what I mean. He's slow to react. In the first clip he fails to close decisively and costs the team about 10 yards. In the second, he could have had a pick had he reacted more quickly but instead gives up the catch.

 

[supafly]

I don't think he's getting past the Steelers if he even makes it that far. But he would look great with a Flying Elvis on his helmet.

You mean a Pat Patriot on his helmet.

This message endorsed by @Actual Pats Fan, who is starting a “movement” as we speak, just probably not the type of movement he was hoping for.

 

[IllegalContact]

I've watched film. He's often a step late in coverage. In college he'd often still make the play because he has the athleticism to close but he won't have that luxury in the pros.

Here's an example of what I mean. He's slow to react. In the first clip he fails to close decisively and costs the team about 10 yards. In the second, he could have had a pick had he reacted more quickly but instead gives up the catch.

So you found 2 plays....how much have you watched jewell?

First game that popped up was against penn st .... he was late on pretty much everything


I took some time to watch Vander Esch some more......coach has him playing a ton of center field waiting for something to happen .... when he’s assigned something more proactive he’s very effective, he covers well, he blitzes well, he’s fast to the sideline and a wraps up very well.

I like the athleticism.....I’d take Rashaan Evans too

 

[primetime]

So you found 2 plays....how much have you watched jewell?

First game that popped up was against penn st .... he was late on pretty much everything


I took some time to watch Vander Esch some more......coach has him playing a ton of center field waiting for something to happen .... when he’s assigned something more proactive he’s very effective, he covers well, he blitzes well, he’s fast to the sideline and a wraps up very well.

I like the athleticism.....I’d take Rashaan Evans too

Admittedly, I haven't watched Jewell nor Evans nearly as much as I've scrutinized LVE. (I also thought Evans had reworked at Alabama's pro day but apparently he didn't, so my evaluation on him is off.)

I just don't think any of these guys are worth a 1st, but I'm willing to come around. But I also think there's a big clump of players with mid-2nd grades I really like and very few players I'd put in my top 15 or so who are likely to be there at the end of the 1st (limited to Lamar Jackson and Harold Landry), so I'd almost prefer the Patriots drop a few spots back and pick up more ammo.

 

[IllegalContact]

Admittedly, I haven't watched Jewell nor Evans nearly as much as I've scrutinized LVE. (I also thought Evans had reworked at Alabama's pro day but apparently he didn't, so my evaluation on him is off.)

I just don't think any of these guys are worth a 1st, but I'm willing to come around. But I also think there's a big clump of players with mid-2nd grades I really like and very few players I'd put in my top 15 or so who are likely to be there at the end of the 1st (limited to Lamar Jackson and Harold Landry), so I'd almost prefer the Patriots drop a few spots back and pick up more ammo.

fair 'nuff

 

[DW Toys]

So you found 2 plays....how much have you watched jewell?

First game that popped up was against penn st .... he was late on pretty much everything


I took some time to watch Vander Esch some more......coach has him playing a ton of center field waiting for something to happen .... when he’s assigned something more proactive he’s very effective, he covers well, he blitzes well, he’s fast to the sideline and a wraps up very well.

I like the athleticism.....I’d take Rashaan Evans too

Actually a hint might be Lorenzo Carter from U.GA. BB attended his pro day.6'5" and 250 lns and 4.6 40. 61 Tackles 4.5 sacks and 9 QB hurries. Supposedly twitchy athlete and speed. Long arms. Should cover just fine.
DW Toys