With the NFL scouting combine finally here, we are now in the thick of draft season, so it’s time to stake a claim to your pet cats for the 2020 draft.

For those unfamiliar, “pet cat” was a term used by Bill Parcells during his tenure coaching the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-06. Here’s a quick explainer (h/t Fort Worth Star-Telegram):

Bill Parcells was a cat guy. He had a big, fat pet cat at his house. And he had his pet cats at Valley Ranch, too. Especially in April. “Pet cats” is a Parcellsism; they were the prospects whom a coach or scout adored. They are often so fond of such prospects they try to make sure their “pet cat” is drafted, regardless what the scouting consensus is.

Basically, a pet cat is a player an evaluator would be willing to "stand on the table for,” which is just another way of describing their favorite prospects outside of Round 1. So while Wisconsin edge rusher Zack Baun may be my favorite prospect in this class (not the best prospect), he doesn’t qualify as a pet cat because he’s currently trending as a late first-round pick.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few of my pet cats in the 2020 draft who play at positions of need for the Cowboys.

Bradlee Anae, EDGE, Utah

From a size and frame perspective, Bradlee Anae is closer to an undrafted free agent than first-round pick. He has adequate size, having measured in at 6-3, 257 pounds at the Senior Bowl, but has tiny T-Rex arms -- Anae’s 32 1/8-inch arms would have placed him in the fifth percentile among edge defenders in last year’s draft.

Anae isn’t the type of elite athlete who gives the general audience confidence that he can overcome his lack of length (although I think he’ll test better at the combine than most believe), which is why he’s currently trending as a third-round pick in most mocks.

But his play style, temperament, motor and technique give me confidence that Anae will find success at the next level.

Despite his lack of length, Anae does an excellent job of utilizing what he does have thanks to great timing, hand placement and technique.

Slight false step to start but this is a beautiful rush by Bradlee Anae. Stab, chop, corner & flatten for the sack. Love the subtle dip of the inside shoulder after the chop to prevent 73 from recovering his hands. Also keeps inside toe pointed at the QB throughout the rush. pic.twitter.com/ni0PpV5auO — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 24, 2020

See the clip above. USC left tackle Austin Jackson (No. 73) measured in with 34 1/8-inch arms at the combine -- a two-inch reach advantage on Anae. But Anae maximizes his length by using a long-arm stab with his inside hand. Utilizing the one arm is longer than two in principle, which just means a person can reach farther with one arm than with both arms outstretched. This not only allows Anae to maintain space between him and Jackson, but it also sets up the outside chop he uses to beat the block and grease the corner on his way to the quarterback.

Anae has one of the deepest pass-rush repertoires in the class, showing an ability to perform a myriad of moves to generate pressure off the edge. His footwork is impressive, displaying a multitude of patterns to set up pass-rush moves and get blockers off-balance.

Anae isn’t going to be confused for Gumby anytime soon, but he has likable flexibility that enables him to effectively corner and flatten to the quarterback once he reaches the apex of his rush.

Love the initial footwork from Bradlee Anae to maintain his gap integrity, which prevents him from being hooked by 73. This enables him to penetrate the backside B-gap behind the pulling LG and help finish the tackle behind the LOS.



Also, Fotu 👀 pic.twitter.com/25DQ1KsMrw — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 24, 2020

His lack of length is more apparent against the run, but he makes up for it with great footwork, pad level and hand placement. Anae’s gap integrity is routinely sound, and he shows the ability to set the edge as a front-side defender or penetrate and make plays as a back-side run defender.

If the Cowboys re-sign Robert Quinn, Anae would be an outstanding heir to the throne at right defensive end. Plus, Anae’s flexibility to be effective from three- (defensive end) and two-point (outside linebacker) stances should give the Cowboys confidence that Anae can sustain viability if they end up switching to an odd front (3-4) in the future.

Leki Fotu, NT, Utah

Whenever I spent time studying Anae’s skill set, my eyes would frequently drift toward a giant No. 99 in the middle of Utah’s defense -- not because Anae wasn’t a fun study, but because Leki Fotu is such an imposing and dominating presence, especially against the run.

Listed at 6-5, 337 pounds, Fotu is a mountain of a man who has imposing power and underrated athleticism for his size.

Trying to study Bradlee Anae but it's so hard to not just watch Leki Fotu.



Resets the LOS vs the USC center with power and totally mucks up this run. pic.twitter.com/qYtn5CRKhU — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 24, 2020

His overwhelming power enables him to consistently reset the line of scrimmage in the opposing team’s backfield. Fotu’s presence as a run defender goes beyond the stats, as the disruption he often causes allows his teammates to make plays.

Just overwhelms the center with power pic.twitter.com/MrUZzJtcXp — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 24, 2020

Fotu is almost impossible to move off his spot with single blocks, and double-teams aren’t that effective either.

While most of his value will come from his ability to clog gaps and demand double-teams, Fotu also has the initial quickness to win, penetrate and make plays in the backfield on occasion.

Unfortunately, despite his potential to dominate against the run in the NFL, his draft stock is limited because of how raw he is as a pass rusher. Fotu’s athletic ability should give teams hope that he can develop in that area, but he’s just not ready to contribute as a pass rusher at the next level.

Still, given his size and ability to defend the run, he will be able to find an effective role. After many of their defensive issues were caused by poor defensive tackle play against the run, the Cowboys would be wise to consider Fotu on Days 2 or 3 of the draft. They need a nose tackle who can consistently maintain his gap integrity and occupy double-teams so the linebackers can have more freedom to make plays without immediately being encumbered by blockers.

Sounds to me like Fotu would look great with a star on his helmet.

Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi State

In a stacked cornerback class, Cameron Dantzler may be my favorite one to study. Listed at 6-2, 185 pounds, Dantzler is a long and thin corner who will need to add a good amount of bulk once he enters the league.

Cameron Dantzler does an excellent job filling from space against the run. Comes downhill quickly but remains balanced/under control, enabling him to mirror Clyde Edwards-Helaire bouncing outside. CEH is one of the toughest players to tackle 1v1 but CD makes it look easier here. pic.twitter.com/h7E8ZkXyqn — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 25, 2020

Dantzler isn’t afraid to stick his nose into the fray against the run, which is a great indication that he should be fine with the physicality of the NFL once he adds the necessary bulk. The lack of bulk does make it tough for him to get off blocks or hold his ground.

While Dantzler doesn’t look like an elite athlete, he’s not lacking in that area, showing impressive change-of-direction ability, balance, acceleration and deep speed.

He is extremely effective in press coverage, using his length and patient feet to disrupt a receiver’s route at the line of scrimmage while putting himself in position to remain in-phase with the receiver for the rest of the route. Dantzler is also effective in off coverage, doing an excellent job of reading the receiver’s low hip to inform himself on the route the receiver is going to run.

Dantzler also shows the ability to be effective outside and in the slot against high-level competition.

Regardless of coverage, his clean footwork allows him to quickly change direction and remain sticky. Dantzler also shows great processing ability, which enables him to recognize and appropriately defend the full route tree.

Dantzler was lights-out in coverage at Mississippi State. Last season, he was targeted 29 times but allowed just 14 receptions for 222 yards and one touchdown while securing two interceptions.

Dantzler blankets Ja'Marr Chase on the go route here. Great job of pinning Chase to the sideline then getting his head around to play the ball. pic.twitter.com/RxCOv2xRa8 — John Owning (@JohnOwning) February 25, 2020

If you’re unconvinced about Dantzler’s skill set transitioning to the NFL, go study his 2019 performance against LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase, who will likely be the first receiver off the board in the 2021 draft.

Dantzler would be an outstanding pick for Dallas in the second round as someone who could play outside when Jourdan Lewis slides into the slot in Year 1 before developing into a starter in Years 2 or 3.

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