RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
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RJ Harvey #12 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers
The Denver Broncos made RJ Harvey the No. 60 overall selection and the fifth running back taken in the 2025 draft. Harvey turned heads upon arrival, but he also saw the Broncos add a veteran to an already-crowded group, all while learning a valuable lesson.
Harvey, who converted from quarterback to RB in college, brings a dual-threat presence to the Broncos’ backfield that head coach Sean Payton has raved about.
Putting it all together is easier said than done, though.
Broncos RB RJ Harvey Gets Honest About ‘Main Focus’
RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
GettyRJ Harvey #37 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Harvey, who turned 24 in February and has switched his jersey from No. 37 to No. 12, “you gotta know what to do” in a “production-based business” like the NFL is.
“You gotta put in the work, and study, and really know your stuff,” Harvey told Denver Sports’ Andrew Mason on September 5. “There’s a lot of time in college. You got classes and schoolwork to do while you’re in college. But you got a lot of free time after practice and after meetings [in the NFL]. During my free time right now, my main focus is just studying, trying to get all the plays right, so when I go out there on Sundays, I’m ready to go, and while I’m out on the field, I don’t gotta think where I’m making mistakes.”
Harvey struggled with efficiency during the preseason, rushing for 47 yards and 1 touchdown on 13 carries, or 3.6 yards per attempt, starting all three of the Broncos’ contests. Those numbers, especially against non-gameplan-specific defenses, are disappointing.
However, those games did not count, and they provided Harvey with invaluable experience all the same as he prepares for his regular-season debut against the Tennessee Titans.
That experience should help Harvey and his new Broncos backfield mate.
RJ Harvey Faces Strong Challenge From J.K. Dobbins
J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
GettyFormer Los Angeles Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins reacts against the Cleveland Browns.
J.K. Dobbins signed with the Broncos in June, late in free agency this past offseason. He enters the season ahead of Harvey on the Broncos’ depth chart, but they are expected to split duties.
“JK Dobbins, the veteran running back who didn’t have a single carry in the preseason, ran away from the defense during one play with a burst that made coaches raise their eyebrows,” The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider wrote on September 3.
“Dobbins’ debut Sunday will be part of a double dose of intrigue in Denver’s backfield. He is likely to share the workload with RJ Harvey, and both running backs are stepping into a run scheme that has been tweaked this offseason to emphasize more outside zone concepts. Payton, of course, will continue to mix in inside zone and gaps schemes.”
Notably, Dobbins called Harvey a “special player.” He will be difficult to keep off the field.
“There has been enough significant change in the run game, scheme and personnel alike to make it one of the biggest questions as the Broncos enter Sunday’s opener,” Kosmider wrote.
How Payton mixes in Broncos backups Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin adds another wrinkle to an intriguingly remade ground attack that will still be working behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Harvey must maximize whatever touches he does receive in the Broncos’ offense.