Broncos bolster backfield, take RJ Harvey

The Denver Broncos selected UCF running back RJ Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 60th overall.

Harvey rushed for 2,993 yards over his last two seasons at UCF. He put up 1,577 yards on the ground in 2024, averaging 6.8 per carry.

He's expected to be a key piece in Sean Payton's backfield after no Broncos running back surpassed 513 yards last year.

Pre-draft profile

Harvey's electric. On first watch, it may seem like he's bouncing too many runs outside - typically an ominous sign for a young running back's vision. That's not quite an issue here, though. Harvey certainly kicks his fair share of plays to the edge, but only when necessary. He's generally a patient runner with the processing ability to make good decisions. It just so happens that some unbelievable quickness allows him to execute on those escapes no matter the difficulty. Harvey's a supremely creative runner who's constantly making defenders miss in the hole and at the second level to find extra yards. He's got the speed to hit the big play, and he throws his weight around a little more than most players his size. His stature could present some issues at the next level, particularly when it comes to workload and being trusted in pass protection, but smart teams understand how to feature game-breaking talents. Harvey fits that description.