2020 NFL Draft: Cowboys select Edge Bradlee Anae in 5th Round

The Cowboys addressed their need at defensive end by drafting Utah edge rusher Bradlee Anae with the final pick of Round 5.

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The Dallas Cowboys originally had two picks in Round 5 but made their first trade of the 2020 NFL Draft by sending pick No. 164 and a fifth-round pick in 2021 to the Philadelphia Eagles and selected Wisconsin center Tyler Biadasz to address a need at center with Travis Fredrick departing in retirement.

Dallas held onto pick No. 179 and addressed a need at defensive end, selecting Utah edge rusher Bradlee Anae.

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing just over 255 pounds, Anae was projected by many to be drafted somewhere between Round 3 and Round 4 but the Cowboys came out with him with the final pick of the Round 5.

Take a look at what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com says about the newest addition to the Dallas Cowboys defensive line.

“Anae’s tape tends to grow on you the more you watch with his revved-up motor and salty disposition showing up in every game. He’s fairly skilled and instinctive as an upfield rusher with a threatening upfield burst and a relatively diverse approach to climbing past tackles. He’s not a natural bender or the longest edge defender and he’s much better at attacking blockers than defending his territory against the run. He has the size, hands and strength to play standing or with a hand down, but may have a better chance of becoming a starter as a rush linebacker in a 3-4.”

The statuses of two current Cowboy defensive ends Randy Gregory and newly signed Aldon Smith remains unknown as they await the commissioner’s ruling on reinstatement into the league. The Cowboys decided to not take any chances and Anae fell into their laps at the end of Round 5.

The Cowboys have one remaining pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, No. 243 in the seventh round.

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