5 Cowboys who need to hit the ground running at camp

Bradlee Anae, DE

There is a serious question to be answered when it comes to second-year defensive end Bradlee Anae this summer. Is there even room for the former Utah pass rusher on the final roster?

This offseason, the Cowboys hired Dan Quinn to be their new defensive coordinator. Soon after Quinn went about the business of adding several players onto the roster to fit his scheme. And that includes several defenders who play Anae’s position.

Remember, Anae barely saw the field as a rookie last season. The 2020 fifth-round selection played just six defensive snaps in his first year. Anae also played 120 special team snaps.

Entering his second season in Dallas, the 22-year old Anae faces even more competition in newcomers like Tarell Basham, Brent Urban, Carlos Watkins, and rookie Chauncey Golston. And that’s in addition to veterans like Randy Gregory, DeMarcus Lawrence, Ron’Dell Carter, and Dorance Armstrong who Anae wasn’t able to pass on the depth chart last year.

Make no mistake, Anae is fighting for his spot on the roster this summer. Hitting the ground running later this month when training camp kicks off and steadily impressing Quinn seems to be a requirement for him at this point.