Broncos Rookie RJ Harvey Sparks Bold Award Predictions
The Denver Broncos’ backfield has quickly become one of the most talked-about storylines heading into the 2025 NFL season. A lot of that buzz centers around rookie running back RJ Harvey, the team’s second-round pick out of UCF. While veteran J.K. Dobbins is on the roster and expected to carry a significant role, it’s Harvey who has been drawing some surprisingly bold predictions.
One of the most eye-catching came from CBS Sports’ John Breech, who predicted that Harvey could walk away with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award by season’s end. At first glance, that may sound like a long shot, especially with other highly touted rookies like Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton in the same division. But Breech pointed to head coach Sean Payton’s history with young running backs as the foundation of his prediction.
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Payton’s track record speaks for itself. Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram, and Alvin Kamara all had major impacts as rookies under his system in New Orleans. Kamara, in particular, won the award in 2017 after a massive season where his dual-threat ability exploded in Payton’s offense. The logic is simple: if Payton invests a high draft pick in a running back, it usually means he plans on using him. Harvey, with his mix of power and versatility, fits the mold of a back who can thrive under that system.
Of course, there’s a reality check. Payton has always been known for leaning on a committee approach at running back. That means Harvey may not immediately step into a full-time starting role, especially early in the season. Dobbins is trusted as a veteran, particularly in pass protection, which is critical in Payton’s scheme. Reports suggest he will likely begin the year as the Broncos’ main early-down back. But as the year unfolds, Harvey’s workload is expected to increase—potentially setting the stage for a breakout.
For fantasy football managers, this makes the situation even more intriguing. Dobbins currently comes at a much better value in drafts, thanks to his later average draft position. But Harvey, going higher, represents a long-term play. If Dobbins’ durability issues resurface, Harvey could step into a lead role quickly. Even if both backs stay healthy, Payton has shown before that his offense can support two productive fantasy options, much like Kamara and Ingram once did.
So what does this all mean for Denver? If Harvey delivers anywhere near the level Breech predicts, he could join Mike Anderson and Clinton Portis as Broncos running backs to win Rookie of the Year. That would not only solidify his place in franchise history but also signal that Payton’s offensive rebuild in Denver is paying off faster than expected.
For now, Harvey remains one of the most intriguing wild cards of the 2025 season—overshadowed slightly by Dobbins to start, but very much in line to be one of the NFL’s biggest surprises by the time the year is over.
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