The Dallas Cowboys are signing a defender coming off an impressive spring season. Coming into the offseason, one of the Cowboys’ biggest needs on defense was at linebacker.

The Dallas Cowboys have a thin LB room

The Cowboys were already thin at linebacker when Leighton Vander Esch announced his retirement due to injuries. The team signed Eric Kendricks in free agency. In April, the Cowboys selected Marist Liufau in the third round.

Still, the Cowboys could improve their linebacking core. Star Edge Micah Parsons has been vocal about wanting to add more help to the defensive line and at linebacker. Parsons wanted a linebacker who could “come down” and stop the run or blitz the quarterback.

On Tuesday, the Cowboys added a potential help in that area.

Willie Harvey Jr. signs with the Cowboys after a breakout season

According to Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network, the Cowboys are signing former Browns linebacker Willie Harvey Jr. before training camp. Harvey drew interest from several NFL teams, but the Cowboys made sure to snag him after his workout with Dallas last week.

Per UFL insider James Larsen, Harvey was a star in the UFL this season, becoming one of the league’s top defenders:

Harvey was an All-#UFL defender for St. Louis this year, leading the league in tackles (78), stuffing the stat sheets all season long (9 TFL’s, 4 sacks, 6 PBU’s). Baller.

Harvey has NFL experience

The Browns signed Harvey as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He was with the Browns through the 2021 season. The St. Louis BattleHawks drafted Harvey in 2022. At 28, Harvey has appeared in four NFL games and has made two defensive tackles. He’s played 48 special teams snaps.

Harvey could be peaking at the right time. The five-foot-eleven, 230-pound athlete will head into training camp hot off of an incredible season in the UFL. He’ll have a chance to make a spot on a roster that needs improvement at linebacker.

Fans’ initial reaction to the signing