Leopard to El capitan on 17"Mbp 5,2

[triotary]

Can I do a upgrade directly from Leopard (tropical) to El Capitan?

 

[LuisN]

I think so unless there's any firmware update that requires Snow Leopard.

I'd take the extra step and install High Sierra using dosdude1's patch. It's easy and you'll be two versions ahead El Capitan.
What do you have to lose? Don't like, erase and install El Capitan.

macOS High Sierra Patcher