Robert “RJ” Harvey was one of the most exciting running backs in college football. His combination of speed, tackle-breaking, and soft hands should excite fans. But, he’s one of the older prospects in the class and didn’t break out until late in his college career. Let’s take a look at RJ Harvey’s strengths, weaknesses, and team fits in this scouting report.
2025 NFL Draft Profiles
RJ Harvey Scouting Report Overview
Height: 5’8″
Weight: 205 lbs
40-yard-dash: 4.4s
Vertical: 38″
Broad Jump: 10’7″
Shuttle: 4.34
Bench: 16 reps
Key Combine Thresholds for Running Backs
RJ Harvey Strengths
Explosive through the line of scrimmage, creates bad angles for defenders;
Exceptional contact balance at the collision point;
Runs with a better nose for contact than one expects from a 205 lb back;
Minimal wasted movement while working behind the line of scrimmage;
Lightning in a bottle in the open field;
RJ Harvey Weaknesses
Busy hunting for the big play misses the correct hole often;
Despite solid movement skills, not the most dynamic route runner;
Late breakout in college, converted from a high school quarterback;
Pass blocking leaves some room to improve;
Player Comp: Fun-sized Tyrone Tracy
Projected Draft Capital: Early Day Three
Team Fits:Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos
RJ Harvey Scouting Report and Team Impacts
Harvey is in the same wave of small, super-athletic running backs as Jahmyr Gibbs and Devon Achane. Unfortunately, he’s not as dynamic of a runner or route runner as those two, and will best serve as a team’s complementary back rather than their workhorse. For each of the teams listed as a possible fit, he would be the most dynamic player in their backfield. He can be the lightning for a thunder-and-lightning combination, but his affinity for chasing big plays when it’s not available could keep him on the bench.
He’ll need to take the next step in both pass protection and in his routes to ever hit more than 50% of snaps for a team. His big play ability will cause some super cool highlights in the preseason, but he needs to earn a coach’s trust before getting a bigger role. Until he can be trusted to pick up blitzers or to do more than just basic check-down routes, he’ll be stuck in a painful rotation for fans.
Watch: RJ Harvey Film vs Data Breakdown
RJ Harvey Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlook
There are over ten running backs in this class that have a path to fantasy relevance, and Harvey is right in the mix. His speed and ability to turn any touch into a homerun will excite dynasty managers, but knowing when to start him will be a painful experience. He’s likely to fall down consensus rankings after the 2025 NFL Draft when managers have a little more clarity on who the day two wide receivers and tight ends will be. He’s still worth a swing in the middle or late portions of the third round of rookie drafts and can be a desperation RB2 or FLEX option because of his big play ability.
Main Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images