theoneandonly
Quality Starter
- Messages
- 5,269
- Reaction score
- 552
Overview
Vander Esch is a loose-hipped, instinctive linebacker who played in 2017 like he had a GPS tracker on the football. His production totals against both the run and pass are rare for being a first-year starter and with a frame that is primed for more muscle, his NFL ceiling is high. Vander Esch might benefit from a reduced role his rookie season while he improves his play strength and becomes more skilled at taking on blocks. He's an every-down linebacker with very good starting potential and the talent to fill up a stat sheet.
Strengths
Big, long and athletic
Has history of achievement with dominant performances and state titles in two sports in high school
Former basketball standout with fluid hips and smooth movement around the field
Almost no delay in his change of direction
Has agility and quick-twitch for sudden lateral bursts in his slides to close out slashers
Triggers with compact burst to the ball
Works under climbing blockers to stay clean
Easy sideline-to-sideline range as tackler
Has athletic ability to recover and tackle despite over pursuit
Widens frame and opens arms to welcome his prey as a tackler
Generally wraps up
Very talented in coverage
Quick but smooth in his drops
Mirrors quarterback's eyes with ability to redirect from side to side as he follows
Uses active, catch-ready hands to breakup the pass or take it away
Shows real rush talent and instincts as a blitzer
May have enough ability to beat a tackle as edge rusher from time to time
Weaknesses
Has just one year of starting experience
Still filling out his frame
Play strength has room for improvement
Has some struggles in taking on blocks and will get washed away by down blocks
Hasn't learned to use hands effectively to punch and separate
Takes himself out of tackle opportunities by attacking iso-blocks and lead blocks with a shoulder
At times, will over pursue or run himself out of position in attempt to play fast and avoid having to deal with blockers
Vander Esch is a loose-hipped, instinctive linebacker who played in 2017 like he had a GPS tracker on the football. His production totals against both the run and pass are rare for being a first-year starter and with a frame that is primed for more muscle, his NFL ceiling is high. Vander Esch might benefit from a reduced role his rookie season while he improves his play strength and becomes more skilled at taking on blocks. He's an every-down linebacker with very good starting potential and the talent to fill up a stat sheet.
Strengths
Big, long and athletic
Has history of achievement with dominant performances and state titles in two sports in high school
Former basketball standout with fluid hips and smooth movement around the field
Almost no delay in his change of direction
Has agility and quick-twitch for sudden lateral bursts in his slides to close out slashers
Triggers with compact burst to the ball
Works under climbing blockers to stay clean
Easy sideline-to-sideline range as tackler
Has athletic ability to recover and tackle despite over pursuit
Widens frame and opens arms to welcome his prey as a tackler
Generally wraps up
Very talented in coverage
Quick but smooth in his drops
Mirrors quarterback's eyes with ability to redirect from side to side as he follows
Uses active, catch-ready hands to breakup the pass or take it away
Shows real rush talent and instincts as a blitzer
May have enough ability to beat a tackle as edge rusher from time to time
Weaknesses
Has just one year of starting experience
Still filling out his frame
Play strength has room for improvement
Has some struggles in taking on blocks and will get washed away by down blocks
Hasn't learned to use hands effectively to punch and separate
Takes himself out of tackle opportunities by attacking iso-blocks and lead blocks with a shoulder
At times, will over pursue or run himself out of position in attempt to play fast and avoid having to deal with blockers
