Although Denver Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey was drafted in the second round in April and impressed during training camp, he was listed as the RB2 behind J.K. Dobbins on the team's initial 2025 depth chart. Dobbins is expected to "start" the Week 1 season opener on Sunday against the Titans, but fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into that and should still consider the 24-year-old Harvey worth starting as an RB3/flex in his first NFL regular-season game. Denver is currently eight-point favorites at home against Tenneessee, a team that allowed 133.9 rushing yards per game (seventh-most) and 22.1 half-PPR points to RBs (10th-most) in 2024. Dobbins' presence surely lowers Harvey's fantasy ceiling, but the Central Florida product is younger, healthier, and has more home run potential. By season's end, Harvey is expected to take over the "starting" role from Dobbins.
Sep 5, 2025 12:37 AM EST
The Denver Broncos released their first unofficial depth chart of the regular season on Tuesday, and rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey is listed as the RB2 behind J.K. Dobbins. Harvey was listed all the way at the bottom of the RB depth chart to kick off the preseason -- head coach Sean Payton's initial depth charts usually are always tough on rookies -- but he's now the RB2 heading into Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans. While Dobbins is going to be a key piece of the Broncos' backfield in 2025, all expectations are that Harvey will lead the team in rushing attempts and yards when all is said and done. The 24-year-old out of Central Florida saw plenty of work with the first-team offense in training camp and the preseason and has more overall upside than the oft-injured Dobbins. Harvey is an RB3/flex with upside heading into his NFL debut against the Titans.
Sep 2, 2025 6:53 PM EST
Denver Broncos rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey got the start in the backfield for the team's preseason finale on Saturday against the New Orleans Saints and handled only four touches (three carries, one catch) in the 28-19 victory. Harvey ran the rock for only four yards on his three rushing attempts and hauled in his only target for a gain of one yard. The good news is that the 24-year-old was in on the team's first three possessions with the rest of the first-team offense with J.K. Dobbins not playing. In three preseason contests, Harvey had 13 carries for 47 yards and caught three passes for seven yards. The Broncos are expected to split lead-back duties among Harvey and Dobbins, although Harvey has more big-play upside and much less tread on his tires, making him the more attractive fantasy selection in upcoming drafts as an RB2/3 target.
Aug 24, 2025 1:31 PM EST
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton noted more than a week ago that he would use mostly starters in the team's preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints for eight to 10 plays, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. On offense to begin Saturday's game, rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey was the starting RB. Veteran J.K. Dobbins will also be heavily involved in Denver's backfield this year, but he's been injury-prone in his career, and Harvey wasn't drafted in the second round for no reason. The 24-year-old from Central Florida was very productive in college despite standing at only 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds. While Harvey won't be a workhorse right away in the NFL, that could quickly develop if Dobbins misses more time due to injury. The rookie is shifty, quick and tough to tackle and should be a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 target for fantasy managers.
Aug 23, 2025 1:51 PM EST
Denver Broncos rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey didn't see much run in the team's second preseason game on Saturday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals, but it didn't stop him from scoring his first NFL touchdown in the 27-7 victory. Harvey only carried the ball three times for 18 yards while catching his only target for a two-yard gain. The 24-year-old was the starter in this contest with J.K. Dobbins not suiting up. His touchdown run went for eight yards up the middle to get the team on the board in the first quarter. The fact that Dobbins didn't play at all suggests he could have a leg up as the "starter" for the Broncos over Harvey, but make no mistake, Harvey is going to have a key role in Denver's backfield in 2025. He should be viewed as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 with more home-run ability that Dobbins.
Aug 17, 2025 11:39 AM EST
Denver Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey earned the majority of the early down work in the team's first preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night, according to Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. Veteran J.K. Dobbins mixed in with Harvey, but mostly served as the third-down back. Harvey and Dobbins are expected to share the majority of the backfield workload in Denver this season. However, their usage against San Francisco could be a window into how Broncos head coach Sean Payton envisions deploying his running backs when the games start to count. Harvey profiles as a borderline RB2/RB3 in fantasy with clear upside if he can play well enough to dominate playing time in the Denver backfield.
Aug 9, 2025 11:13 PM EST
Denver Broncos second-round rookie running back RJ Harvey is a candidate for the joker role in head coach Sean Payton's offense this year, per Zac Stevens of DNVR. Payton is in love with the joker position on offense, but it remains to be seen how much Denver will actually use one in 2025. New tight end Evan Engram has also been mentioned as a potential candidate for the role. The 24-year-old Harvey has impressed throughout training camp so far as he battles for a big role in the Broncos' backfield in his first year in the NFL with J.K. Dobbins. The fact that Denver is considering Harvey for the joker role means that he could be their primary pass-catching weapon out of the backfield, which in turn could give him immediate RB2 upside in PPR fantasy leagues in an offense that could take a step forward in quarterback Bo Nix's second season.
Aug 2, 2025 1:11 PM EST
Denver Broncos running backs RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins have been "routinely shuffling in with the first-team offense" in camp, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Denver drafted Harvey in the second round of the 2025 draft out of UCF, while Dobbins was a late free-agent addition after spending 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers. Kosmider notes that Harvey has had impressive moments and showcased his explosiveness in camp, but has also had some struggles in pass protection. Last year at UCF, Harvey rushed for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns, with 23.3% of his carries going for 10 or more yards. Dobbins has battled injuries throughout his career, but he managed 905 yards and nine touchdowns on 195 carries in 13 games as a Charger in 2024. The two backs are sure to share touches to some degree this season, but the exact nature of their workload split is one to monitor throughout the preseason.
Jul 29, 2025 9:11 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey has agreed to his four-year rookie deal, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The rookie out of UCF is expected to have a meaningful role right away in Sean Payton's offense, which has been friendly for running back production in the past. The team used a second-round pick on the do-it-all weapon after many believed he was a potential Day-3 prospect, so that should give fantasy managers confidence in him despite the addition of veteran J.K. Dobbins. While Dobbins is likely to take some early-down work, he has a lengthy injury history and averaged just 3.8 yards per carry with the Los Angeles Chargers last year after Week 2. Meanwhile, Harvey is a high-level pass-catcher and should be viewed as the primary receiving back right away. Quarterback Bo Nix heavily targeted running backs in the passing game during his time at Oregon, and Payton has been known for involving his RBs in that aspect of the offense. Harvey is being drafted in the high-end RB3 range, but he has legitimate RB1 upside in PPR leagues if things break right.
Jul 17, 2025 3:01 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey is expected "to play a significant role in the passing game," according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic. Denver selected Harvey out of Central Florida in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft and he enters training camp in a battle with free agent addition J.K. Dobbins for backfield touches. Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime could also be in the mix. Harvey had just 20 receptions for 267 and three touchdowns last season at UCF, but it sounds as though he'll be relied upon as a pass-catcher in Denver. Broncos' head coach Sean Payton has designed offenses that heavily feature running backs in the passing game before, so Harvey's usage in that role could be a significant boost to his value in PPR league formats.
Jul 14, 2025 6:53 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which was a surprise to many. Most draft analysts projected Harvey to be a third or fourth-round pick, so Sean Payton's conviction to select him early immediately increased his fantasy football value. However, the recent signing of veteran ball carrier J.K. Dobbins brought a new factor to Harvey's perceived value. Broncos reporter Nick Kosmider said that should not be the case. [Dobbins] signing had nothing to do with a souring outlook on Harvey." Kosmider wrote. "If anything, Harvey has exceeded expectations during his early days in Denver. He's in tremendous shape and has shown a natural feel as a receiver. Truer tests of his progress and his immediate readiness to contribute will come in training camp and the preseason, but the Broncos have been pleased with his progress to this point and plan to have him be a significant part of the offense." Kosmider said the Broncos targeted Dobbins well before April's draft, and Payton prefers a 1-2 punch approach. While Dobbins' presence somewhat lowers Harvey's ceiling, he should retain his RB2 upside in 2025. Dobbins is entering his age-26 season and has dealt with a multitude of significant injuries. If he gets banged up again, Harvey could be an RB1 with league-winning upside.
Jun 25, 2025 2:54 PM EST
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey has become one of the hottest fantasy football names among rookies after being selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. According to team reporter Andrew Mason, the University of Central Florida product had a strong minicamp and "made another statement" at Thursday's OTA practice. Harvey was the fifth running back off the board last month after rushing for 3,789 yards (6.5 YPC) and 43 rushing touchdowns over the last three seasons. He added 61 receptions for 720 yards and four scores in 41 games. In Sean Payton's offense, expectations are high for the versatile and explosive back. He has minimal competition in the Denver backfield, and he should be utilized heavily as a receiver right away. Harvey should have no problem producing an RB2 season as a rookie, and he has an RB1 ceiling.
May 29, 2025 3:20 PM EST
The Denver Broncos have intentionally been getting rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey pass-catching reps in rookie minicamp. General manager George Paton said that Harvey might have the best vision of any RB in this year's NFL draft. The young runner set Central Florida's all-time touchdown record and led the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns in his final season in 2024. He also became the second player in school history to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Harvey caught only 20 passes at UCF last season, but head coach Sean Payton said Harvey will have the ability to play on third down -- in addition to first and second own -- because of a variety of protection options. It sounds like Payton plans on using Harvey more as a pass-catcher at the next level, and he has the skills to become a three-down back sooner than later for the Broncos in 2025.
May 11, 2025 1:16 PM EST
Denver Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey, who was taken 60th overall in last week's NFL draft in the second round, could end up doing it all for the Broncos as a runner and pass-catcher, even though he caught only 20 passes in 2024 in his final season at UCF. "This was kind of our pet cat throughout the process," general manager George Paton said. "His running style we feel he's dynamic. He has really good vision, really good instincts, really good contact balance. Highly explosive. We thought maybe he had the best vision in the draft." Harvey wasn't used a lot as a pass-catcher in college, but that's going to change in Denver with head coach Sean Payton. In addition to his potential as a pass-catcher, Harvey had 1,577 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024. With home run ability and a three-down skill set, expect Harvey to be the team's RB1 come the fall.
Apr 29, 2025 1:40 PM EST
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