How Former Utah DE Bradlee Anae Will Fit In With Dallas Cowboys
May 17, 2020, 5:37 PM
Utah Utes defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) during a college football game between the Utah Utes and the UCLA Bruins on October 26, 2018 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Utah defensive end Bradlee Anae has a chance to contribute as a rookie for a good football team in the Dallas Cowboys.
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Anae was taken by the Cowboys in the fifth round with the 179th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys play 4-3 defensive scheme with two defensive ends. According to ESPN.com, Anae is the third string left defensive end behind DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory.
He will wear No. 51 for the Cowboys.
With the 179th pick in the 2020 #NFLDraft the #DallasCowboys select DE @bradleeanae from @Utah_Football! 🌟 #CowboysDraft@millerlite | #ItsMillerTime pic.twitter.com/upfVOW8oeD
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 25, 2020
Other Defensive Ends On Roster
DeMarcus Lawrence signed a new extension with the Cowboys. His deal runs through the end of the 2021 season but has a two year option for 2022 and 2023. Randy Gregory is entering the final year of his two-year contract.
On the right side, Tyrone Crawford will be in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent after the 2020 season. Aldon Smith just signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys.
Utah’s all-time sack king was the only defensive end that the Cowboys selected in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Full breakdown of the #DallasCowboys' fifth-round pick, @bradleeanae ⬇️
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 25, 2020
Contract Details
Anae has not signed a contract with the Cowboys yet. That will happen in the coming weeks. According to Spotrac.com, Anae is projected to make $3,532,772 over the course of his rookie contract. His signing bonus is projected to be worth $237,772 and using an estimated $669,443 of the Cowboys’ cap this season.
The former Ute can negotiate certain portions of his contract but some of it is set in stone because of the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement.
Prediction
Anae falling to the end of the fifth round to the Cowboys was an absolute steal. He will fit in nicely with Dallas and could see some reps as a rookie. If that doesn’t happen, Anae will use his work ethic and athletic ability in practice that will impress the coaches to the point where they won’t need to resign either Aldon Smith or Randy Gregory.
I think what will happen is that Anae will get a little bit of playing time as a rookie but will slide in to the backup role in the 2021 season.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
