The Denver Broncos have found themselves in quite a predicament at the running back position. It’s a good problem to have for Denver, but not for RJ Harvey fantasy football managers.
Harvey was selected by the Broncos in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He played four seasons at UCF before declaring for the draft, accumulating 3,792 yards and 43 touchdowns in his collegiate career while averaging 6.5 yards per carry. His best season came in 2024, where he rushed for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns while averaging 6.8 a pop. Harvey is an explosive back who is also a threat in the passing game. He isn’t the only back that the Broncos acquired this offseason, however, as the team also signed former Ravens and Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins to a one-year deal in June. These two are the key players in the backfield, and fans were curious to see how the competition developed into the regular season.
It was an up-and-down Week 1 for rookie running backs in general. RJ Harvey and Jacory Croskey-Merritt performed well, while Ashton Jeanty and TreVeyon Henderson struggled. Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson was given just one rushing attempt. Every rookie back is going through their own journey with their new team, but Harvey and “Bill” Croskey-Merritt looked like they belong from the jump.
The only problem with Harvey’s situation is that he did not lead the team in rushing attempts. J.K. Dobbins outcarried him 16-6, which is quite the difference in volume. Dobbins was targeted twice in the passing game, while Harvey was targeted once.
When you put it like that, it sounds like there is no running back competition here and that Denver has their bell cow, but don’t worry, Harvey managers, it’s only up from here. The rookie was electric when we got the ball in Week 1, rushing six times for 70 yards while averaging 11.7 yards per attempt. That’s one way to earn yourself more touches. His performance was highlighted by a 50-yard carry in the fourth quarter. Despite playing second fiddle to Dobbins, his 7.9 FPTS ranked 31st among running backs on DraftKings.
I truly believe Harvey will take over the starting job at some point; we just need to be patient. Sunday was as good a performance as you can ask for, and it was statistically light years ahead of his competition. However, this is a marathon, not a sprint. J.K. Dobbins is an experienced player who you know what you’re getting from when he’s healthy. The stat line of 16 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown isn’t anything earth-shattering, but his 3.9 yards per carry and 14.8 FPTS are more than respectable.
I don’t think there will ever be a point this season that Harvey takes over as the full bell cow back while Dobbins is healthy, but I can definitely see him getting the larger portion of the touches later on in the season.
