Dallas Cowboys: The Curious Case of Bradlee Anae

A deep dive into the Dallas Cowboys rookie Bradlee Anae and what fans can expect.

It wasn’t too long ago Dallas fans were in awe at the teams 2020 draft haul. In fact, many are still in awe at how much talent the team was able to bring in with what started as six draft picks. In the first round, the team added some serious offensive firepower in WR CeeDee Lamb. This was followed up with three potential defensive starters in CB Trevon Diggs, DT Neville Gallimore, and CB Reggie Robinson.

After trading up to select a falling C Tyler Biadasz, the team used their fifth-round pick to select Hawaiian EDGE rusher Bradlee Anae from the University of Utah. After a productive college career collecting 131 total tackles, 83 solo tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles, Anae lasting this far into Day 3 seemed rather odd.

One big reason that could be attributed to his draft weekend fall was his Scouting Combine workout. After measuring in at 6-foot-3.5 and 257 pounds, not much else was in his favor.

Anae’s arms measured in at 32.5 inches, which is shorter than the minimum of 33 inches for most teams. He ran a 4.93-second 40-yard dash, ran a 7.44-second 3-cone drill, ran a 4.43-second short shuttle, vertical jumped 31 inches, and broad jumped 115 inches. With the exception of his broad jump, every other measurement or time put him near the 50th percentile of all EDGE rushers at the Scouting Combine.

However, considering this was a relatively weak EDGE class and a year where a pandemic shut just about everything heading into the draft, teams not prioritizing a 2019 team captain’s leadership, experience, production, and good health is certainly puzzling even with his poor combine.

With the team selecting him in the fifth round, he doesn’t possess high expectations even if he was considered a steal for his draft position. However, how productive can he be this season for a team that seemingly has few answers at EDGE outside of DeMarcus Lawrence? What can we expect of him during his career as a professional football player?