Cowboys add top UFL player and he's got a legit shot at the 53-man roster thanks to key trait
The Dallas Cowboys are going back to the UFL well in 2024 after making successful bets in returner KaVontae Turpin and kicker Brandon Aubrey the last couple of years.Only this time, they're seeking more than just special teams value as they're expected to sign All-UFL linebacker Willie Harvey Jr., per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.The Cowboys […]
The Dallas Cowboys are going back to the UFL well in 2024 after making successful bets in returner KaVontae Turpin and kicker Brandon Aubrey the last couple of years.
Only this time, they're seeking more than just special teams value as they're expected to sign All-UFL linebacker Willie Harvey Jr., per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.
The Cowboys worked Harvey Jr. and other UFL standouts last week and seem to have decided on the leading tackler of the spring pro football league that showed his versatility by producing in several areas, as I described in an earlier article:
He finished with a league-high 76 tackles and nine tackles for loss (#2 among all defenders). But make no mistake about it, Harvey Jr. not only produced as a mere tackler. He also added two forced fumbles (tied for 1st), deflected six passes (tied for 6th) and racked up four sacks. Those covering the UFL closely have nothing but rave reviews about the potential Cowboys addition.
Harvey Jr. is also much more than a player with a pipe dream of making it into the league as he already has some NFL experience: He played four games for the Cleveland Browns between the 2019 and 2021 season.
The Cowboys are adding Harvey Jr. to a linebacker room that will absolutely give him a chance at a 53-man roster spot. In my way-too-early roster projection, I had the Cowboys carrying only four linebackers:
- Eric Kendricks
- Damone Clark
- DeMarvion Overshown
- Marist Liufau (rookie)
Beyond those four, the Cowboys had veteran Damien Wilson and a couple of UDFAs to work with before the news. Although Harvey Jr. was a beast playing defense during the 2024 UFL season, he'll likely have to impress Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel as well in order to make the team.
The Cowboys' biggest emphasis on defense has been improving their performance against the run and the above clip shows Harvey Jr. doing a lot of that. He instantly becomes one of the top players to watch in training camp.
He'll need to impress new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer with his football IQ but one thing is for sure, he already has a key trait that Zimmer values in his linebackers: Versatility.
He was asked to do a lot for the Battlehawks and now we wait to see if it translates to the NFL Pending additional review of Harvey Jr.'s film, he appears to be an immediate scheme fit based on his production and highlight reel.
