Every report I've read has said he has very inconsistent backchecking and the few games I've seen him play that's been shown to me as well. He's not overly physical, but doesn't shy away from getting hit, at least. But he is NOT a consistent defensive player under any means. He plays defense when he feels like it, which might be every other shift.
I don't have a problem with someone not having Espo too high, but I must say, this focus on elite offensive talents ability and propensity to back check as means of dropping them down in the first round is a pretty big reach to me.
Radek Bonk was a one dimensional offensive player in Vegas who never played D, but a half dozen years later he was one of the better defensive centers out there. Marian Hossa was accused of being a player who never came back to his zone and many scouting reports had him as TOTALLY one dimensional and he is quite possibly the best defensive forward I've ever seen.
Going back even further, Yannik Perrault was seen as a pure offensive player coming out of the Q in his day, who many scouts said was too slow and one dimensionally offensive to ever make in the NHL. Offensive talent in the end, is about 4th on the list of the best parts of his game.
The bottom line is these were very talented forwards. The finer aspects of the defensive game can be taught. In fact, it's one of the few things that can be taught.
Not to single you out, but this back checking stuff and the fact a player hasn't "rounded out his game" at the age of 17 is pretty low on the list of things to look for in offensively gifted forwards (in the case of a d-man like Katic, it's a different story).
And as I recall, you defended Kessel pretty vigorously as the top pick last year against much of the same criticism you are giving Espo. Dropping Espo too low doesn't make any more sense than those who dropped Kessel out of the top 10. If you feel he can't take his game in traffic or handle physical play, that's one thing, but to say he's doesn't belong amongst the elite players because he is selective when exhibiting a defensive commitment is pretty weak. From what I've seen from Espo, he's embraced the physical parts of the game enough to say he has made real progress this year. As to coming back in his own, I've watched Kane float waiting for a break the other way enough to know he has a long way to go, but that wouldn't stop me from nabbing him in the top 10 picks without hesitation. Same goes for Espo.
Just an observation.