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Utah Football: Predicting where Utes will land in 2020 NFL Draft

By Dante Pryor

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Utah Utes intercepts a Jacob Eason #10 of the Washington Huskies pass and returns it for a 39 yard for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Utah Utes top the Washington Huskies 33-28. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 02: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Utah Utes intercepts a Jacob Eason #10 of the Washington Huskies pass and returns it for a 39 yard for a touchdown during the third quarter of the game at Husky Stadium on November 02, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. The Utah Utes top the Washington Huskies 33-28. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 29: Defensive lineman Bradlee Anae of Utah runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 29: Defensive lineman Bradlee Anae of Utah runs a drill during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 29, 2020, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Scouting Report. 5. 57. player. Pick Analysis. EDGE. Utah. Bradlee Anae

Though college production does not always translate to the NFL, Bradlee Anae will be an exception to that rule. College players that improve year by year tend to find their way onto an NFL roster and stick around.

Anae is one of those players. He does not possess typical size for a rush end or outside linebacker at only 6-foot-3, but he can contribute to a team as a situational pass rusher. The Hawaii-native struggles in pass coverage; the Utes did not ask him to drop often.

He has no issue initiating contact in the run game, but he is not a consistent edge setter. However, the one thing Anae does well is he can get to the quarterback. When he got playing time, his numbers increased.

From barely getting on the field as a freshman, Anae had 27.5 sacks his last three years. He needs to develop more of a pass-rushing repertoire; he won’t out-muscle every offensive tackle in the NFL. He’s a day-one sub-package player on obvious passing downs. He can play in a three-point stance as well as standing up as a rush end.

The Bears are looking to bolster a pass rush that finished in the lower quarter of the league in sacks last season. Teams might be leery of Anae because of his physical limitations.

If he’s around in the fifth round, he’s an absolute steal for Bears with the 163rd pick.

Projection: Fifth round (Bears)

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