Talk is that LB Vander Esch is high on the Phins board
A trade back would leave him #1 on the Phins board… ‘according to reports’
With just days away from the 2018 NFL Draft, every Phin Fan is on the edge of their seat to see who Miami picks at #11. One name mentioned only as of late — a player the Dolphins are reported to love — is Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch from Boise State.
Most bookmaker software programs have Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds as the top-ranked Linebackers in this draft class. Miami would be thrilled if either were options with the 11th pick in the 1st Round. However, most analysts believe these two will be gone by Miami’s first pick. If that’s the case, and if Miami is laser-focused on an LB in the first round, then they’ll have to settle for the 3rd or 4th best Linebacker: Leighton Vander Esch or Rashaan Evans. But these two will likely only come into play if Miami trades back or suffer an improbable fall to #42.
You never know, though… love and desperation can be a dangerous mix. Let’s hope the Dolphins brass doesn’t get skittish.
The Titans canceled a scheduled meeting with Vander Esche because they didn’t think he’d be there at their 25th pick. So, how far can Miami trade back and still acquire him?
Potential plays a large part in Vander Esch’s value
Vander Esch could end up a very good player on the NFL level. Many feel he has only scratched the surface of his talent… but he’s also a ‘one year wonder’ with some holes in his game. Drafting him at #11 is too high as they will have better value options, albeit at other positions… and Miami knows it. At least we hope so.
Still, they have invested a substantial amount of time in researching and meeting with him (could be just due diligence). Their interest in him has become quite vocal over the last week… almost screaming ‘we’ll trade back’.
Vander Esch is 6’4”, 256 pounds with room to grow. He’s quick for a big man and has solid coverage skills. Last year he racked up 141 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 4 pass breakups, and 3 interceptions. Despite these numbers, selecting him at #11 wouldn’t be considered ideal in the terms of value. So he is more of plan B… unless plan A is a trade back.
Large and fast, Vander Esche could be exceptional… if refined
With only one-year as a starter, his sample size is very small. Like Roquan Smith, he has a pronounced flaw: Great trouble stacking and shedding blockers. Smith can somewhat hide from his flaws at the WLB with a physical cast in front of him. As an MLB or SLB, Vander Esch will have a more difficult time avoiding his kryptonite. The positive is that unlike Smith, Vander Esch has shown a willingness to engage, so it’s more of a technique issue rather than nature.
Voch Lombardi gives an unglossed review of Vannder Esch
Another possible snafu of some note: There are rumors about him being pulled from off a few teams boards due flunked medical. Vander Esch has had injury issues in the past, so they aren’t completely groundless.
Vander Esch is a bit of a gamble. Evans is more polished than Vander Esch, but reasonably serious injury concerns are his big question mark. Both would be an upgrade at OLB… with a nervous roll of the dice. Phinsnews would rather a surer chance of success is picked in the 1st Round. But a move back and the extra picks they’d acquire would be a nice hedge to mitigate the risk.
Linebacker is arguably Miami’s biggest need along with TE. This could tempt Grier to be rash. Could Miami pull the trigger on an LB even if that means over drafting a player like Vander Esch? According to Chris Grier BPA has a sliding scale depending on need…
…Or could they be confident that a trade partner will emerge?
Likely this interest is far more due diligence as a contingency plan than Machiavelli brilliance. Can we at least dream of aqua exceptionalism?
Miami needs an LB… would Evans and Vander Esch fit the bill?
Miami must stick with BPA… without a sliding scale of need at #11. Too much talent will be available to overreach. A trade back is one thing, but desperation is another. Phinsnews likes Vander Esch… but really loves Edmunds. If luck doesn’t favor the Dolphins with Edmunds, Phinsnews would be happy with a booby prize of Vander Esch (or Evans)… and some extra picks in a trade back come Friday.