Dallas Cowboys: 5 players who could be cut or traded in 2021
2. Leighton Vander Esch, LB
2021 cap number: $3.77 million
2021 cap savings if cut/traded: $2.095M
Over the past couple of seasons, Leighton Vander Esch has simply not been able to recapture the magic of a sensational rookie campaign back in 2018.
It appeared after the 2018 season as though the Dallas Cowboys had solidified their linebacker group for the foreseeable future with Vander Esch pairing up with Jaylon Smith and racking up 140 total tackles as a rookie along with seven passes broken up and a pair of interceptions.
At 6-foot-4, 256 pounds, Vander Esch is built more like a defensive end but moves around more liek a defensive back.
With pick 19 in the 2018 NFL Draft, the #Cowboys selected Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Boise State.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) November 22, 2019
He posted an elite #RAS with elite size, great speed, elite explosiveness, elite agility at the LB position.#BoiseState pic.twitter.com/SnA8a7GHHo
There is no doubt that Vander Esch is an athletic freak, but can he stay on the field?
He has missed 13 games over the past two seasons and his production has fallen off a bit.
If the Cowboys decide that Jaylon Smith, who is already under contract beyond this season, is a better placeholder until maybe Jabril Cox is ready to start, then Vander Esch should be considered one of the Cowboys’ hottest trade assets prior to the 2021 season.
Dallas not only drafted both Micah Parsons and Jabril Cox, but they also signed Keanu Neal and moved him to the linebacker position.
The writing seems to be on the wall for Vander Esch and I would, at this point, expect him to be traded with just one year remaining on his deal after Dallas declined his fifth-year option.