2. Bradlee Anae, EDGE
The starting defensive ends should be set in Dallas. DeMarcus Lawrence is going to be playing on the left side, as he always is. Across from him this season should be Randy Gregory who has been working hard just to get back on the field.
Gregory has played just 38 games since 2015 and missed all of the 2017 season and 2019 seasons (as well as 14 games in 2016) due to suspensions. The talent has always been there, but his off-field concerns kept him back. Still, he should be heavily in the mix this season.
Behind those two, Dallas has Dorance Armstrong, rookie Chancey Golston, and second-year player Bradlee Anae. A fifth-round pick from Utah, Anae was seen as a steal when the Cowboys landed him in the 2020 NFL Draft but he has yet to make much noise for them — and has hardly seen snaps on the defensive line.
With that being the case, this preseason could be huge for him as he fights for a role on the team. He might not necessarily be trying to earn a spot on the 53-man roster but the top reserve spot is up for grabs and a big showing on Thursday night could be enough to put his name on top of the list for that role.