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2017 Rams Roster Preview: Cory Harkey, At Last

A former UDFA-turned-leader, can Harkey last another season with his only NFL home?

St Louis Rams v Washington Redskins Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

If you’re a UDFA, you better be ready to grind away.

Typically, a five-year career for a UDFA would seem like a pretty solid career, considering nobody drafted you. That doesn’t seem enough for current Los Angeles Rams TE and leader Cory Harkey, though.

You’ll likely find him in the middle of a huddle giving pre-game speeches trying to get his team ready for battle. For a guy who doesn’t get much opportunity, Harkey has been a solid player for the Rams. As an H-Back, part-time FB, in-line TE and special teams player, he can do a bit of everything.

Is that a guy the Rams need again for his sixth season as a Ram?

Roster Battle

Harkey’s most immediate roster battle comes from newly drafted sixth-round rookie FB Sam Rogers (roster preview), second-round pick TE Gerald Everett, and last year’s two drafted TEs: Tyler Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway (roster preview). Now, most of those guys are strictly receiving TEs and don’t offer the same versatility as Harkey.

If anybody, Sam Rogers will be his main competition.

Expectations

If you’re looking at traditional statistics, no, Harkey probably won’t have many numbers if any at all. But if you’re looking for a leader, dirty work type player who can give you valuable snaps in the running game and on ST’s, then Harkey will surely have some sort of a role.

Chance of Making Final Roster (6.5/10)

If it were not for Rogers, I think this # would be higher. Even then, this is a player entering his sixth year with tons of playing experience and a locker-room voice.