The Dallas Cowboys got a healthy infusion of rookie talent in the 2020 NFL Draft. As expected, first-rounder CeeDee Lamb is already showing signs of being a dynamic playmaker to go along with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup, giving the Cowboys potentially the best receiving trio in football. Second-round pick Trevon Diggs is starting to show why some had him mocked to the Cowboys in the first round as he looks to lock up a starting role at cornerback.
There’s a third rookie, though, Bradlee Anae, who shockingly fell to the Cowboys in the fifth-round is starting to make waves in camp and secure his spot on the 53-man roster.
Anae brings a big bag of tools to the Cowboys pass rush. The most impressive just might be how much of a technician he is with his hands. He extends his arms to keep offensive linemen at bay, chops violently with his outside arm and rips through to bend the edge, and sets up linemen with an outside pass rush before spinning inside to apply pressure. He’s literally a jack of all trades.
What’s unique about Anae is not only can get after the quarterback in a 4-3 but he can stand up and play outside linebacker in a 3-4. New Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan scheme fits his skill set perfectly as it’ll focus on three and four-man fronts to keep opposing offenses off-balance. Also, it will feature a designated pass rusher position which could be a spot where Nolan uses Anae in certain situations.
After losing Robert Quinn and his 11.5 sacks from 2019 the Cowboys have added some premium talent at defensive end with Aldon Smith and Everson Griffen (and hopefully a reinstated Randy Gregory) to complement DeMarcus Lawrence. If Anae continues to progress he could very well be making plays on Sundays as a part of an extremely formidable Cowboys pass rush in 2020.
