With the preseason wrapped up, the Denver Broncos got their final look at rookie running back RJ Harvey before turning the page to Week 1 of the regular season.
The second-round pick out of UCF was featured early in Denver’s 28-19 win over the New Orleans Saints, getting snaps alongside the rest of the Broncos’ first-team offense. But how did Harvey look in his final preseason audition as he gears up for his official NFL debut?
How Did RJ Harvey Do for the Denver Broncos?
While Harvey’s stat line won’t turn heads, it was more about opportunity and involvement than sheer production. The rookie logged three carries for 4 yards (1.3 yards per attempt) and caught his lone target for 1 yard. He was the first running back to record a carry in the game and saw action on each of Denver’s first three drives, a clear indication of the role coach Sean Payton envisions for him moving forward.
RJ Harvey this preseason
16 carries
51 rush yards
1 TD
3.1 YPC
4 rec
8 rec yards
2.0 AVGBUST?? pic.twitter.com/gPoeFJA4nW
— Michael🇲🇽 (@RespectMyCos) August 23, 2025
Saturday’s limited touches capped off a modest but important preseason for Harvey. Across three games, he finished with 47 rushing yards on 13 attempts and added three receptions for 7 yards on four targets.
While the numbers aren’t flashy, Denver’s coaching staff has consistently trusted him with first-team reps, perhaps the most telling sign of his role in the offense.
RJ Harvey’s Fit Alongside J.K. Dobbins
The Broncos’ backfield situation is one of the more intriguing storylines heading into 2025. Denver signed J.K. Dobbins this offseason, a veteran who posted a strong year with the Chargers before arriving in Denver. Still, Harvey offers explosiveness and upside that the team can’t ignore.
RJ Harvey getting 1st team reps with the Broncos’ starting line up.
Dobbins only getting utilization on 3rd downs in every pre-season game played with the 1st team.
You make the conclusion on who the Bronco’s starting RB1 is, it’s not rocket science.
— Top1 Fantasy (@Top1FFantasy) August 23, 2025
At UCF, Harvey was a workhorse, racking up 1,577 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 6.8 yards per carry in his senior season. He also showed flashes as a receiver, earning a 9.4% target share, proof that he’s more than capable of contributing in the passing game, even if his preseason targets were limited. Payton, who handpicked him in the draft, clearly sees him as more than just a rotational piece.
The most likely outcome for Week 1 and beyond is a committee approach, with Dobbins and Harvey sharing the workload. Dobbins’ veteran presence gives him a slight edge in early-down usage, but Harvey’s explosiveness and ability to catch passes could earn him valuable snaps, especially in two-minute drills and third-down situations.
While Harvey didn’t have a breakout moment against the Saints, Denver trusts him with meaningful snaps alongside its starters. His ability to run between the tackles, create chunk plays and contribute as a pass-catcher makes him a versatile option heading into his rookie year.
Harvey may not be the Broncos’ feature back right away, but his preseason usage shows he’ll have a legitimate role from the start. If he can build on his UCF production and adjust to NFL speed, Harvey could quickly become one of the most important weapons in Payton’s offense.
