2018 NFL Mock Draft: First KC Chiefs mock draft after free agency

ROUND 2 – PICK 22 (54TH OVERALL): LEIGHTON VANDER ESCH, LB (BOISE STATE)

With their first pick in the 2018 NFL Mock Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Leighton Vander Esch out of Boise State. While the name looks like a combination of Leighton Meister and the guy from Dawson’s Creek (James Vanderbeek?), don’t get it twisted. Vander Esch can play.

For one, he was the 2017 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, which is certainly worth mentioning. He was also First-Team All-Conference as a junior and opted to forego his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL Draft.

Vander Esch had a nice showing at the Combine, recording top times in the vertical jump, 3-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle, and 60-yard shuttle. The only reason he might fall to the Chiefs in the second round is due to playing in the Mountain West, which isn’t exactly against the toughest of opponents.

Hey, if that’s how this all shakes out, Chiefs fans should be thrilled to land a player like Leighton Vander Esch. He’s a massive linebacker at 6’4″ and 256 pounds and his numbers last season showed that his jump to the NFL is the right decision. He racked up four sacks and 141 total tackles as a junior at Boise State.

Chiefs fans should be thrilled to land a player like Leighton Vander Esch.

Kansas City would not only be getting a great young player, but the need for a strong linebacker is certainly there. He could eventually replace the type of production Derrick Johnson was giving them and is a hungry player looking to further prove himself to everyone.

What the experts are saying…

"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. – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"

Next: WITH THE 78TH OVERALL PICK…