Cowboys insider hails All-UFL LB signing, dubs ex-Browns star Willie Harvey Jr. 'best in the league'

Willie Harvey Jr. spent the 2023 UFL season with the St. Louis Battlehawks as one of the best linebackers in the entire league. He led all players in total tackles on his way to being selected to the All-UFL team. His impressive season has apparently earned him another opportunity in NFL.

Harvey previously spent three years with the Cleveland Browns from 2019 to 2021. This time around, he will reportedly join the Dallas Cowboys to add some much-needed depth to their linebacker position. This has been one of their weakest positions in recent years, so he should have an opportunity to carve out a role for himself.

NFL Insider Tom Pelissero reported from his personal X acount that Harvey plans to sign with the Cowboys during the offseason. He will presumably join them for the training camp in an effort to make the active roster.

Cowboys insider Kyle Youmans responded to the report from his own X account, seemingly praising Dallas for what he apparently believes is a strong signing. He had a simple classification for what he saw in Harvey last year:

"Arguably the best linebacker in the UFL this past season."

The argument of Willie Harvey Jr. being the best linebacker in the UFL is certainly justified by his massive 2023 season. Pelissero pointed out that in addition to making the All-UFL team and leading the league in total tackles, he also led all linebackers in many statistical categories. This includes tackles for loss, passes defended and forced fumbles.

His versatile contributions and UFL dominance were apparently enough to earn him a shot with the Cowboys. Considering their lack of depth at linebacker, he may even make the active roster and earn a regular role in their defensive rotation.

Willie Harvey Jr. provides depth to Cowboys' questionable LBs in 2024

Willie Harvey Jr.

Linebackers have been a bit of an issue for the Dallas Cowboys in recent seasons, especially with Leighton Vander Esch retiring last year due to recurring neck injuries. They began to address the problem by signing Eric Kendricks and drafting Marist Liufau during the 2024 NFL offseason.

Their two new additions are currently projected to join Damone Clark in the starting lineup, but training camp performances can potentially change things. DeMarvion Overshown is looking to bounce back after a season-ending injury last year, and now that Willie Harvey Jr. is in the mix too, their could be some competition for snaps. This will be a situation to keep an eye on during Cowboys training camp.