Anthony Lucas
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USC edge rusher Anthony Lucas.
The Dallas Cowboys have had a massive hole on defense at edge rusher ever since trading NFL All-Pro Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 season.
They’ve tried and failed to fill that hole in a variety of ways — they used a 2nd round pick on Donovan Ezeiruaku in the 2nd round of the 2025 NFL draft, tried to trade for Las Vegas Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby, then eventually traded for Packers edge rusher and former 1st round pick Rashan Gary.
The Athletic’s latest mock draft has the Cowboys making another attempt at filling that spot by drafting 6-foot-5, 256-pound USC edge rusher Anthony Lucas in the 3rd round (No. 92 overall) of the 2026 NFL draft.
“Lucas is an edge defender with NFL size and length but a disappointing lack of collegiate production,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “His play is more gradual than twitchy. He lacks explosiveness up the field as a rusher and into first contact as a run defender. He plays with occasional flashes, but hints of hesitation in both phases prevent him from sustaining those flashes. There are physical traits and athletic ability to work with but there isn’t enough on tape to project Lucas will stick on a roster.”