Six practice squad prospects the Chiefs should steal
By Matt Conner
Willie Harvey, linebacker
The Cleveland Browns have a fairly deep corps of linebackers that pushed one of the brightest young performers in training camp down to the practice squad in Willie Harvey. If not for a lot of guaranteed salary in Cleveland that would turn into dead money, you might have seen this unlikely linebacker make the 53-man roster as a rookie free agent.
Think of Harvey as the Ben Niemann of the Cleveland Browns, which means that Harvey should only be in view for the Chiefs in case of any injury to any current thumper on the roster. Harvey is deficient in coverage, to be sure, but as a run-stopper, he is a real force. A three-year Honorable Mention All-Big 12 for three straight seasons as Iowa State, Harvey was the buzz of Browns training camp with a non-stop motor that lights the fire in his coaches.
For the Chiefs, Harvey would be a nice addition if something happens to Niemann or Reggie Ragland. He lacks the size that scouts like and he’s not a three-down player—at least at this point—but Dave Toub would love him from his first day on the team and he wouldn’t embarrass himself on obvious rushing downs if it came down to it.