ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — RJ Harvey continues to be as advertised.
The quickness and explosion that the second-round running back displayed during rookie minicamp was just as evident Thursday in his work with and against veteran players on the third day of Denver Broncos OTAs — and the first one that was open for media observation.
On one play, he used his jump-cut to set up a spin move that led to a solid gain — a potential double-digit yardage pickup in game conditions. Harvey was also a frequent pass-catching target. He looked dynamic. He deftly adjusted to an off-target pass for a solid gain.
But that being said, it’s early for one of the Broncos’ newest weapons. Pads won’t go on for another two months.
“Well, he’s done a really good job working. He does a good job out of the backfield,” Broncos quarterback Bo Nix said. “It’s hard to tell with shorts and t-shirt what it’s like running the ball with the no pads. But that’s obviously why we got him, so, we know he can run the ball.”
Still, there are some attributes that stand out.
“But I think it’s the other things that — he’s showing just the routes and suddenness and quickness in hands. I think all that’s really good to see. But he’s a great guy, great dude, first and foremost. And then, I think it’s going to translate for him being a successful player.”
NOTES FROM THE BRONCOS’ DAY OF WORK
… Nix spoke of “not thinking,” noting that he doesn’t have to think about his own aspects of quarterbacking and can focus more on the defense and its alignment and getting the ball in the right spots to counter it.
That led to plenty of completions, as he was not only on target, but did a good job leading his receivers and setting up yardage after the catch, including one play during a team period where he set up Courtland Sutton for a pass that the wide receiver plucked in stride for a gain of at least 14 yards.
… Some spark came from reserves off the edge, with Dondrea Tillman, Que Robinson and Andrew Farmer among the players to generate pressures throughout the day. Rookie Sai’Vion Jones also generated an interior pressure on Sam Ehlinger late in practice.
… Tillman had a pressure off the left side on Jarrett Stidham that likely would have been a sack in game conditions. He also blew up a handoff to Audric Estimé with good backside pursuit.
… Both Wil Lutz and Jeremy Crawshaw had good days; Lutz was accurate on his placekicks, and Crawshaw delivered excellent hang time on most of his punts.
… Drew Sanders appears settled at inside linebacker, where he worked while Alex Singleton and Dre Greenlaw work their way back from injuries. “The vision is clear: inside linebacker,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said.
“We think he’s a pressure player. So obviously, there’s ways where you can pressure that guy from a stacked position, or to an outside position. He’s doing well handling it.”
Some quick thoughts after the Broncos wrapped up their first week of OTAs with a strong day from Bo Nix — and what it means when he says that he’s not thinking as much: pic.twitter.com/fNbefEfu2Q
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) May 29, 2025
… Undrafted rookie Joaquin Davis had the catch of the day, a leaping grab near the sideline that saw him adjust to an off-target throw near the right sideline, come back to the football and then tap his toes in-bounds to complete the catch.
… Justin Strnad made a pair of outstanding plays, blowing up a screen pass to Harvey early and later leaping to break up a pass from Nix in the backfield.
… Second-year cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine impressed early, breaking up a potential pass from Ehlinger to Estimé. He also had tight coverage on Sutton for a pass that fell incomplete.
… Don’t forget about third-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin in the Broncos’ rushing mix. He had a solid day, using his quickness to turn in several solid gains during team period work.
… Second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele looked crisp on his routes and had a solid day, showing progress in building off of a rookie season that saw him rank second among all rookie seventh-round rookie wide receivers since 2000 in yardage and receptions.
… Tight end Lucas Krull — one of the standouts of Broncos OTAs last year — stretched out for a catch from Ehlinger late in practice.
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