If there is one player from the Dallas Cowboys 2020 draft class that has a chance to make an immediate impact and outperform where they where drafted, all signs point to former Utah pass rusher Bradley Anae. The fifth-round pick has a legitimate chance to be an important rotational piece for this Cowboys front.
Anae was considered by many to be an early-round talent but subpar testing numbers hurt his draft stock.
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Anae was just as shocked as others when his name was still on the board well into Day 3.
“It was pretty unexpected to fall down where I fell. … Nobody would’ve guessed that but it’s just a blessing. I was thinking about it the other day that it was just a blessing to be a part of the NFL and to even have a shot like this. For me, it’s underdog mentality forever and just can’t wait to get going.” – via Sports Illustrated
Anae agreed to a four-year contract on July 20 and joined his fellow rookies the next day when they reported to camp.
Player: DE Bradlee Anae
Round/Slot Picked: 5.179
Signing Bonus: $237,776
Total Salary: $3,532,776
2020 Cap Hit: $669,444
Amateur Career
Anae attended Kahuku High School where he was a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and Scout.com. He helped Kahuku to a 13-0 record and a state title in 2015.
Anae attended the University of Utah and was a 2019 Consensus All-American and a Morris Trophy Award winner. Anae was a two-time first-team all conference player in 2018 and 2019. He is also the career sack leader in Utah history with 30 sacks.
The pre-draft process started off well for Anae as he flashed the ability in one-on-ones against some of the best pass protectors at the Senior Bowl practices.
He carried over a good week of practice to the game recording three sacks in live competition. In the following months Anae stock begin to fall after posting a poor 40-yard dash, running a 4.93 forty. Without the ability to work out at his pro-day because of the pandemic that narrative continued to surround him and ultimately led to his draft day slide.
Film
Game vs USC (2019) | 5 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack
Game vs Washington (2018) | 6 Tackles, 1 TFL
Scouting Report
Anae is listed at 6-foot-3, 257 pounds and has a very active motor as a rusher. He shows good hand usage and will attack a blocker’s outside shoulder and use aggressive hands to chop and rip through to get to the quarterback.
Anae will use his first-step quickness and snap count anticipation to win early against blockers. Anae must do a better job leveraging and setting the edge versus the run.
What the experts say:
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Draft Grade: 3rd-4th Round
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.
Pass Rush Room
With the loss of Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears, the Cowboys are missing a right end who can get after the quarterback opposite of Demarcus Lawrence. Tyrone Crawford is returning after missing the majority of last year and having hip surgery and has a good chance if he is healthy to start as the right end.
The Cowboys are also taking a chance on Aldon Smith who has not played since the 2015 season.
Dallas their fare share of youth and inexperience at defensive end with Doran Armstrong, Joe Jackson and Jalen Jelks, but none of them were selected by the new coaching staff of head coach Mike McCarthy and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Without skins on the wall and on tape, they could be sent packing. UDFA Rondell Carter rounds out the rest of the depth chart and the James Madison product is a strong contender to make the roster after being pursued by 23 teams following the draft.
With Crawford possibly starting camp on PUP and Smith working his way back from a long layoff, Anae will get plenty of opportunity in training camp along with the other young players to start to separate himself from the bunch.
Anae will make this team the question is whether he can show these coaches he can create pressure as a rusher but also effect the game as a run defender consistently. Anae is the most decorated young rusher on the team and has proven throughout his college career he can sack the quarterback. He will get plenty of practice rushing against elite offensive tackles in Tyron Smith and La’el Collins which should sharpen his skill in preparation for the regular season.
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