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NFL Mock Draft 9.0: Quarterbacks push defensive prospects down board

By Jacob Camenker

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Roquan Smith #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs walks in to the locker room prior to the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Quaterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass uner pressure from Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – DECEMBER 16: Quaterback Justin Herbert #10 of the Oregon Ducks looks to pass uner pressure from Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

Leighton Vander Esch. 22. player. 31. . Linebacker. Boise State

After grabbing a defensive back with the first pick they acquired in their trade with the Bills, the Giants can focus on upgrading their linebacker position. While B.J. Goodson and Alec Ogletree should be solid starters, it wouldn’t hurt the team to add another player to the position to improve the defense. Leighton Vander Esch is one of the best players on the board here, so he would make sense.

Vander Esch came out of nowhere to have a fantastic season. With Boise State, Vander Esch posted an unfathomable 141 tackles and did a lot in other aspects of the game as well. He nabbed two interceptions and recorded four sacks, demonstrating an ability to play all over the field. Thanks to his 6-foot-4 frame, he should be a strong tackler at the next level and has the coverage skills necessary to be a three-down linebacker.

Depending on how James Bettcher chooses to organize his defensive scheme, he could have Vander Esch start the middle of the defense, or he could play on the edge. He might not be a strong edge rusher in the 3-4 scheme that Bettcher is going to run, but he could be used as a run stopper/coverage guy in that position.

Ideally, Bettcher could rotate Vander Esch with Ogletree and Goodson and create some confusing combinations outside. Also, playing a hybrid defense could make sense too. That could do a lot to keep opposing offensive coordinators guessing, so that seems like a smart move.

If the Giants decide that Vander Esch wouldn’t be a great fit for their defense, they could add an offensive lineman or a true 3-4 edge rusher like Harold Landry. Still, Vander Esch could really help their defense, so getting him here makes sense.

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