After maneuvering down in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos opted to bolster their running back stable with the selection of running back RJ Harvey. He was the lightning to J.K. Dobbins’ thunder and proved to be an important catalyst for the Broncos’ offensive efforts in 2025.
Appearing in 17 games with seven starts, Harvey was a dual threat player during his rookie campaign. He rushed for 540 yards on 146 carries (3.7 yards per carry) and 7 rushing touchdowns. He also added
356 receiving yards on 47 receptions (58 targets) with 5 receiving touchdowns. Overall, Harvey totaled 896 yards from scrimmage and led all rookies in the NFL with 12 total touchdowns.
In year two, there is certainly room for improvement for the former UCF standout. Let’s discuss Harvey’s role in his second season with the Broncos and what he can do to become an even better weapon for Denver’s offense.
Player Profile
Age: 25 | Experience: Second Year | College: UCF | Height: 5’8” | Weight: 205 pounds
Arm Length: 29” | Hand Size: 9” | Bench: 14 reps | Vertical: 38” | Broad Jump: 10’-7”
40-Yard Dash: 4.4 seconds | 3-Cone: N/A | Shuttle: 4.34 seconds
RJ Harvey’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
RJ Harvey had a knack for reeling off explosive runs, generating first downs, and also being a formidable option as a receiver out of the Broncos backfield. Over twenty percent of his catches or rushes resulted in moving the chains or wound up being touchdowns. That’s quite impressive.
During OTAs last week, he mentioned he feels much more comfortable when it comes to the playbook and understanding what it takes to operate at a high level in the NFL. In his rookie year, Harvey had 481 total offensive snaps. That was good enough for 42-percent of the team’s offensive snap share. For his second season, I expect Harvey to see an increase role with the offense.
He had a penchant for touchdowns and big plays, but his down-to-down consistency, especially as a runner needs improvement. When Dobbins went down with a season-ending injury later in the season, Harvey struggled to be a workhorse and averaged around three yards per carry down the stretch.
With respect to areas of improvement, I would like to see him be more decisive at the line of scrimmage and do a better job reading the running lanes. Nevertheless, his athleticism and big play ability were a huge boon for the Broncos’ offense. That should continue this season.
Final Thoughts
Harvey will be an important part of Denver’s offensive endeavors in ‘26. If he is able to be more consistent as a rusher, he should have no problem toppling 1,000 all-purpose yards as a player. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him be around 1,250 all-purpose yards if he can stay healthy and make some big strides. I’m very optimistic about his potential in year two and believe he will continue to ascend as a player.
