Will Cowboys DE Bradlee Anae be the Day 3 Steal of the NFL Draft?

The Dallas Cowboys got incredible value throughout the NFL Draft. It started strong with CeeDee Lamb, the sixth overall player on their draft board. The value drafting continued through the fifth round when they selected Utah edge rusher Bradlee Anae with the last pick of the fifth round.

Bradlee Anae was an incredibly productive player for the Utah Utes throughout his collegiate career posting 29.5 sacks and 40 tackles for loss.

Defense & Fumbles Table

| | | | | Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Tack | Def | Def | Fumb | Fumb
Year | School | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | TD | PD | FR | FF
*2016 | Utah | FR | DE | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
*2017 | Utah | SO | DE | 12 | 25 | 14 | 39 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3
*2018 | Utah | JR | DE | 12 | 24 | 23 | 47 | 14.0 | 7.5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1
*2019 | Utah | SR | DE | 12 | 30 | 11 | 41 | 14.0 | 13.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1
Career | Utah | | | | 83 | 48 | 131 | 40.0 | 29.5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 5

Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 5/11/2020.

He didn’t test very well at the NFL Scouting Combine, which is what led to his draft fall, but he comes in as one of the most technically polished pass rushers in the entire class. Most of his measurements were about average when compared to other edge rushers in the class, but his 20-yard shuttle and broad jump certainly show enough explosion and quickness to make an impact as an edge rusher in the NFL.

On Saturday, ESPN analysts answered a bevy of questions about the NFL Draft, and Field Yates thinks Bradlee Anae could be THE day three steal of the NFL Draft.

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Bradlee Anae will be the steal of Day 3. The fifth-round pick out of Utah will be counted on early in his career, as the team is looking for additional rushers to play opposite DeMarcus Lawrence. To be candid, I’m not entirely sure why Anae made it to the fifth round, but I believe he’ll prove himself to be a worthwhile contributor for Dallas right away.

Field Yates – ESPN

As the Cowboys await the reinstatement of edge rushers Randy Gregory and Aldon Smith, Anae has an opportunity to find a role early in his career with the Dallas Cowboys. As Yates mentions, playing across from DeMarcus Lawrence and with Gerald McCoy in the middle, Anae could see plenty of one-on-one opportunities.

The Dallas Cowboys need to find pass-rushing productivity from someone this offseason after losing Robert Quinn to the Chicago Bears this offseason. Bradlee Anae could be the “two” in the Cowboys 1-2 punch at pass rusher. His motor and technique will earn him chances to be a difference-maker for the Cowboys his rookie season and prove to be the steal of the draft on day three.