Cowboys refuse Leighton Vander Esch option post-draft results

Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas Cowboys (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

Entering the 2021 NFL Draft, the position of linebacker wasn’t viewed as a pressing need for the Dallas Cowboys with the presence of two former Pro Bowlers on the roster in Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith. Yet, the recent retirement of Sean Lee and losses in free agency likely meant the Cowboys would use one or more of what ended up being 11 total draft selections on the position.

The Cowboys surprised many by drafting Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons with their first-round selection last Thursday night. That after losing out on the draft’s top two cornerback prospects and trading back two spots with the…