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DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 04: RJ Harvey #12 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at Empower Field At Mile High on January 04, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
For most of the offseason, the belief around the Denver Broncos has been that they need to add a running back in free agency.
With J.K. Dobbins not under contract and his return uncertain, and several big-name running backs expected to hit free agency, many have penciled Denver in as a landing spot for a big splash.
But based on George Paton’s comments at the NFL Scouting Combine, that narrative may need to shift.
When asked about soon to be second-year running back RJ Harvey, the Broncos general manager sent a strong message:
“I couldn’t be happier about RJ,” Paton said Tuesday. “I believe he can still be a three-down back.”
Zac Stevens
George Paton “couldn’t be more happy” about R.J. Harvey. Believes he can still be a 3-down back
The tone and context of Paton’s full comments may say even more about how Denver is approaching the position this offseason.
Broncos View RJ Harvey as Long-Term RB Option
Harvey’s rookie numbers were solid but not overwhelming.
He rushed for 540 yards on 146 carries, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt, and scored seven touchdowns.
He added 47 receptions for 356 yards and five more scores, finishing with 896 all-purpose yards and 12 total touchdowns, which led all rookies.
On the surface, the sub-4.0 yards-per-carry average might suggest the Broncos still need a clear-cut feature back. Instead, Paton emphasized growth and versatility over raw efficiency.
“He’s still a pet cat,” Paton said. “I thought he had a really good year for a rookie, with everything that was thrown at him when (J.K.) Dobbins got hurt.”
Down the stretch, Harvey handled an expanded workload. In the final seven regular-season games, he carried the ball 96 times for 326 yards and five touchdowns. He also flashed explosiveness, including a 38-yard touchdown run and a 32-yard reception in Week 16 against Jacksonville.
“He’s dynamic with the ball in his hands,” Paton added. “His hands, his route-running ability. I thought he improved on first and second down. The game slowed down for him as the season went along.”
Paton made it clear that Harvey will have a major role in the offense going forward.
What This Means for Denver’s Free Agency Plans
Paton’s comments don’t necessarily eliminate the possibility of adding to the running back room. But they strongly suggest the Broncos may not be aggressively pursuing a high-priced, big-name option.
Over the last few weeks, the Broncos have been connected to top running back options such as Breece Hall, Tyler Allgeier, David Montgomery, and even Travis Etienne.
If the organization truly believes Harvey can develop into a three-down back, investing significant cap space in a veteran could complicate that path.
Denver has other roster priorities, and committing major money to a free-agent running back could signal a lack of confidence in Harvey’s trajectory.
Instead, Paton’s remarks point toward continuity and internal development.
“I couldn’t be happier about RJ,” he reiterated.
For a team that won 14 games and came within one step of the Super Bowl, stability matters.
Paton’s comments could signal that if the Broncos make a major offensive splash this offseason, it may come at wide receiver instead.