RJ Harvey Is Becoming the Broncos’ Secret Weapon in the Red Zone
When the Denver Broncos used a second-round pick on RJ Harvey out of UCF, the move raised more than a few eyebrows. Harvey wasn’t a household name coming into the draft, and at nearly 25 years old, he was older than your typical rookie. Add in the fact that he began his college career as a quarterback, and it’s easy to see why the selection came with some skepticism.
But fast forward to Week 13, and Harvey’s role in Sean Payton’s offense is no longer a curiosity-it’s a necessity.
Originally expected to be eased into the rotation behind J.K. Dobbins, Harvey’s timeline accelerated in a hurry when Dobbins went down with a season-ending injury. That thrust Harvey into the starting role, and while his yardage numbers haven’t exactly jumped off the page, he’s found a niche that’s keeping the Broncos’ offense moving: scoring touchdowns.
A Red Zone Threat Built in the Sproles Mold
From the moment Harvey landed in Denver, the comparisons to Darren Sproles started flying. That’s no coincidence. Payton coached Sproles to a 1,300-yard, nine-touchdown season in New Orleans, and while no one’s expecting Harvey to replicate that production overnight, the stylistic similarities are hard to ignore.
Harvey’s not the workhorse type like Dobbins-he’s a different kind of problem for defenses. He’s a matchup nightmare who thrives in space, especially inside the red zone. Through 12 games, Harvey has already found the end zone eight times, matching the total number of touchdowns scored by all Broncos running backs over the entire 2023 season.
Let that sink in.
In a Sean Payton offense that typically features multiple backs who can punch it in from anywhere on the field, last year’s group combined for just nine scores. This year, Harvey’s already at eight-and he’s just getting started.
A Matchup Nightmare for Defenses
What makes Harvey so dangerous is the way he forces defenses into uncomfortable situations. Line him up against a safety, and he’s got the size and strength to run right through them-just ask Washington’s secondary after Sunday night. Put a linebacker on him, and his quickness and route-running turn that into a mismatch in a hurry.
That’s how he’s already racked up four receiving touchdowns, making him one of the most productive pass-catching backs in the league when it comes to scoring. He’s not just catching screens and checkdowns-he’s running real routes and winning real matchups.
And while his total yardage-112 scrimmage yards over the past two games-might not be eye-popping, it’s the timing and impact of his plays that stand out. Harvey isn’t just moving the chains; he’s finishing drives.
Still Room to Grow, But the Impact Is Real
There’s no question Harvey still has areas to clean up. His vision between the tackles can be hit-or-miss, and some of his reads in the backfield have left yards on the table.
But the Broncos don’t need him to be a 20-carry-a-game bell cow. They need him to be efficient, dynamic, and most importantly, productive when it counts.
So far, he’s delivered.
Harvey is now on pace to become the first Broncos running back to hit double-digit touchdowns since Melvin Gordon in 2021. And if he keeps up his current pace, he could finish with 12 scores-something no Denver back has done since Knowshon Moreno in 2013.
The Bottom Line
RJ Harvey may not have entered the league with the hype of a first-round pick or the resume of a college star, but he’s quickly proving he belongs. In a Broncos offense still finding its rhythm under Sean Payton, Harvey has emerged as a reliable scoring threat and a player defenses have to account for every time the Broncos get inside the 20.
He’s not just filling in for Dobbins-he’s carving out his own role, and doing it with a nose for the end zone that’s hard to teach.
If this is what Harvey looks like with just a few starts under his belt, Broncos fans have plenty to be excited about.