RJ Harvey Is Emerging as the Broncos’ Most Reliable Red Zone Weapon - And He’s Just Getting Started
When the season kicked off, the expectation was that Courtland Sutton would once again be the Broncos’ go-to guy in the red zone. That’s been the script for a few years now - big-bodied receiver, strong chemistry with his quarterback, and a proven knack for coming down with contested catches. And while the connection between Sutton and rookie QB Bo Nix is still very much intact, the story in Denver’s offense has taken a surprising and exciting turn.
Enter RJ Harvey.
The rookie running back out of UCF wasn’t handed the keys right away. Denver took him in the second round, and he opened the season backing up veteran JK Dobbins. But talent tends to rise, and with Dobbins sidelined for the year, Harvey has seized his opportunity - and then some.
At 5-foot-9 with a compact frame, bursty acceleration, and soft hands out of the backfield, Harvey has proven to be a tailor-made fit for Sean Payton’s system. It just took a few weeks for everything to click. Now, with the starting job firmly in his grasp, he’s not just contributing - he’s dominating, especially where it matters most: inside the 20.
A Red Zone Force
Harvey is currently leading all rookies in total touchdowns and has already set a new franchise record for rookie scoring. That’s not just impressive - it’s historic.
And it’s not just about the volume. It’s when he’s scoring that’s making the biggest difference.
Since stepping into the starting role, Harvey has become the Broncos’ most dependable option near the goal line. Whether it’s a quick swing pass, a delayed handoff, or a designed screen, Payton has found countless ways to get the ball in his hands in tight spaces - and Harvey keeps delivering.
Christmas Night Clutch
Take last night’s win over the Chiefs. With the game hanging in the balance late in the fourth quarter, Denver found itself in a goal-to-go situation.
The offense needed a score - not just to win, but to avoid what would’ve been a crushing Christmas Night collapse. And when it mattered most, the rookie got the call.
Bo Nix dropped back, scanned the field, and found Harvey in the flat. Touchdown.
His twelfth of the year. His fifth through the air.
And maybe his most clutch moment yet.
It capped off a night where Harvey led the team in touches and racked up 76 scrimmage yards on 19 total opportunities. But more than the numbers, it was the trust - from Payton, from Nix, from the entire offense - that stood out.
When the Broncos needed a play, they didn’t hesitate. They went to the rookie.
Built for the Big Stage
What’s been so striking about Harvey’s rise isn’t just the production - it’s the poise. Red zone football is where things tighten up.
Defenses play faster, windows close quicker, and mistakes are magnified. Yet Harvey plays like he’s been here before.
He’s decisive, physical, and unshaken by the moment.
As Denver looks ahead to January and a potential playoff run, Harvey’s role isn’t just growing - it’s becoming essential. His ability to convert short-yardage opportunities into points gives the Broncos a reliable scoring option when the field shrinks. And if he keeps this up, it’s not hard to imagine him being a featured part of Sean Payton’s plans well beyond this season.
For now, RJ Harvey is doing more than just filling in - he’s rewriting the Broncos’ red zone identity. And with the postseason looming, Denver might just have found its next offensive cornerstone.