The Denver Broncos completed one of their final offseason tasks: signing their entire draft class, with second-round pick RJ Harvey the last member to agree to terms. Harvey brings a dynamic presence to a previously underwhelming backfield, and the Broncos are ready to see him work.
Harvey was the No. 60 overall pick of the 2025 draft, and the fifth back off the board.
He capped his career at UCF with 2,993 yards and 38 touchdowns on 458 carries, adding a 39-504-4 line as a pass-catcher.
“OFFICIAL: RB RJ Harvey has signed his rookie contract,” the Broncos’ social media team said in a post on X on July 18, one day after news of the agreement broke. “Let’s get to work, @rjharvey07!”
Harvey put forth a strong display during the Broncos’ offseason program.
A league-wide contract standoff among second-round draft picks caused him to miss at least one training camp practice, with Broncos rookies reporting on July 16.
“And as a standoff between agents and front offices over guaranteed money continued into the start of some teams’ training camps — including the Broncos’ — Denver’s second-round pick, RJ Harvey, still floated in a void he didn’t create,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans wrote on July 17, noting the other teams getting deals done with their prospects paved the way.
“Denver now officially has a key member of its rookie class locked up, with the back widely impressing across offseason activities and set to be a major piece in Sean Payton’s offensive plans for the foreseeable future.”
Broncos RB RJ Harvey Looking to Emulate 5-Time Pro Bowler
GettyAlvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints looks on against the Denver Broncos.
Harvey has drawn strong comparisons to New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara and his predecessors. Payton is the connection who has not shied away from name-dropping his former Saints playmakers to describe players on his current roster.
The Broncos’ head coach compared rookie third-round pick Pat Bryant to Michael Thomas, and seventh-round tight end Caleb Lohner to Jimmy Graham.
Harvey, for one, is eager to work toward living up to that standard.
“Definitely want to be like those guys,” Harvey told reporters in May. “Darren Sproles … he went crazy with the Saints. Kamara, too, so. I want to be better than those guys, so I’m gonna work every day, get better, and just prove myself to all the vets and the coaches. And I want to make a immediate impact in this league, so.”
So far, so good, as Harvey made a strong impression on Payton during the offseason program.
“He’s picked up on, very quickly, what we’re doing. You can tell it’s real important to him. But this is like the first exposure to the training room, the weight room, the schedule, the nutrition,” Payton told reporters in May.
“There’s a lot more than just, ‘Hey, we’re going to run these plays.’ So, he’s looked good, though. He’s – listen, we’re glad he’s here.”
Broncos Boast Deep Backfield
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Los Angeles Chargers reacts against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Harvey led the Big 12 with 22 TDs and 6.8 yards per carry in 2024. He also tore his ACL in 2021, missing the season and adding some injury concern for the Broncos, who can fittingly keep him as fresh as needed.
The Broncos signed J.K. Dobbins in free agency. He, too, carries significant injury risk, but the Broncos’ depth does not stop there.
They have four other backs under contract entering training camp.
Jaleel McLaughlin is the leading returning rusher out of the backfield. Audric Estime is the youngest of the group. Tyler Badie flashed before suffering an injury in 2024. Blake Watson made the Broncos as an undrafted free agent last year.
However, the Broncos brought Dobbins and Harvey in for a reason. So it makes sense they are ready to “get to work” with him in the fold.
