Head coach Sean Payton couldn’t find the desired running back production during his first two seasons with the Denver Broncos. Javonte Williams departed for Dallas, and Jaleel McLaughlin fell down the depth chart with the additions of veteran free agent J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey. Dobbins had a comeback season post-injury but hasn’t played close to every game since featuring in 15 during his 2020 rookie season.
This leaves RJ Harvey as an ideal RB2 draft target with high upside. His current 61 ADP will rise as week one gets closer.
Harvey averaged 1,496 rushing yards, 19 rushing touchdowns, 252 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns over his final two seasons at UCF. He produced his best number during his final season with 1,577 rushing yards, 22 rushing touchdowns, 267 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. He was highly productive during his collegiate career, and there’s reason to believe Sean Payton will mold the rookie the same way he did Alvin Kamara during his time with the New Orleans Saints.
| ATT | RUSH YDS | TD | REC | REC YDS | TD | |
| Kamara | 210 | 1294 | 16 | 74 | 683 | 7 |
| Harvey | 458 | 2993 | 38 | 39 | 505 | 4 |
The chart above shows the totals of Alvin Kamara’s and RJ Harvey’s final two collegiate seasons. Harvey was utilized more on the ground, but Kamara was superior through the air. Harvey’s athleticism and pass-catching ability are like Alvin Kamara’s. Kamara took the NFL by storm during his rookie season and was one of the best sleeper draft picks.
| Rookie Year | ATT | RUSH YDS | TD | REC | REC YDS | TD |
| Kamara | 120 | 728 | 8 | 81 | 826 | 5 |
Sean Payton is entering year three in Denver, and his current offensive personnel resembles the one that featured around Alvin Kamara (i.e., a game manager QB, a pass-catching RB, a capable TE, and one dependable WR). Payton wants to take pressure off of second-year QB Bo Nix, and the addition of tight end Evan Engram gives Nix a dependable target other than wide receiver Courtland Sutton.
Add RJ Harvey, with Kamara-Esque production, and the rookie running back becomes a fantasy football league-winning player. It’s unlikely Harvey’s rookie season will be like Alvin Kamara’s 2017 rookie campaign (1,554 total yards and 13 total touchdowns), but a safe projection is 1300+ total yards and close to 10 total touchdowns. This would make RJ Harvey a borderline top 15 RB.
The Denver rookie’s current ADP is 61, but his stock will continue to skyrocket as week one of the 2025 season inches closer. Fantasy football players have been waiting for Sean Payton to find his next great running back for PPR leagues, and RJ Harvey fits the mold given his pass-catching abilities. Fantasy football players should view the rookie as an RB2 that can end the season with RB1 production.
