ENGLEWOOD, CO — With the Denver Broncos set to kick off the 2025-26 season against the Tennessee Titans, could rookie running back RJ Harvey be Sean Payton’s next star tailback?
Harvey, a prolific and dynamic dual-threat running back taken in the second round out of UCF, was widely considered RB5 in a rookie class headlined by Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins and Omarion Hampton.
After redshirting as a freshman at Virginia in 2019, the 5’8 208-pound Orlando-area native transferred to UCF to play for his hometown Knights in 2020. Originally a quarterback, Harvey switched to running back and played in five games as a backup, before tearing his ACL, causing him to miss the 2021 season.
In his three years as RB1 for UCF, Harvey played in 40 games, 25 as a starter and rushed for 3,792 yards on 579 carries and 43 touchdowns, while averaging 6.3 yards a carry.
As an outlet receiver, Harvey caught 61 passes for 720 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 11.8 a catch.
It is because of his talent as both a runner and receiver that most likely attracted Payton to Harvey during the NFL draft.
Notables such as Reggie Bush, Deuce McAllister, Pierre Thomas and Alvin Kamara have thrived in his trademark two-RB system. With J.K. Dobbins pencilled in as the Broncos RB1, Harvey slides into the RB2, change-of-pace “Lightning” running back who can serve as QB1 Bo Nix’s receiver out of the backfield on third downs and certain passing situations.
For both parties, this is an absolute home run and possibly one of the biggest steals in the draft for both the Broncos and Harvey.
In the case of the Broncos, they get a quality dual-threat running back who can also catch passes out of the backfield and flex out as a WR at times, and for Harvey, he goes to a team coached by a Super Bowl winning coach that has a quality resume in developing and utilizing running backs in Payton.
Look for both to benefit from each other and form a strong and lasting relationship this season and beyond.