RJ Harvey – Fantasy Football Impact with the Denver Broncos
With the 60th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos made headlines by selecting UCF running back RJ Harvey. It is a move that has fantasy football managers buzzing. Harvey was projected as a fourth-round pick, so seeing him go in the second round is an exciting surprise for fantasy players. The Broncos have been desperate for more explosiveness at the running back position, and Harvey has the tools to deliver just that. Today, we’ll break down the fantasy football impact of the talented RB with the Denver Broncos for 2025 purposes and in dynasty leagues.
RJ Harvey’s Strengths for Fantasy Football Production
Harvey’s fantasy football appeal comes from his elite elusiveness, durability, and big-play ability. During his 2024 season at UCF, he racked up 1,578 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, while adding 267 receiving yards and 20 receptions. Additionally, his ability to break big runs and make defenders miss makes him a home run threat on every snap. More yet, head coach Sean Payton has been searching for a player to fill the Alvin Kamara role in his offense. More importantly, Harvey fits the bill.
Under Payton, the Broncos want a running back who can contribute in all three phases of the offense. Overall, Harvey brings that versatility. His PFF run grade from his final year at UCF was an impressive 89.5, which is higher than Kamara’s 84.4 from his college days. Additionally, Harvey’s 32 runs of 15 or more yards ranked second among running backs during the 2024 college football season. Moreover, his elusiveness rating of 122.2 placed him among the top 15 percent of backs nationally, and he forced 69 missed tackles over the year. All in all, his ability to make defenders miss will make it a real challenge for NFL defenses to bring him down.
Unfortunately, Harvey was not heavily used in the passing game at UCF. However, he showed reliable hands, dropping only two passes during the 2024 season. His combination of explosiveness and reliability gives him the potential to be a big-play threat right away at the NFL level.
Fantasy Football Challenges and Risks
Despite his upside, Harvey’s fantasy football outlook comes with some risks. Notably, both Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime are highly regarded by the Broncos coaching staff. McLaughlin brings speed and receiving ability, while Estime offers a bruising style that is ideal for short-yardage situations.
Furthermore, Payton is a coach who demands trust before giving players significant playing time. Harvey will need to prove during the offseason that he is capable of earning snaps over two players who have already played meaningful roles in the Broncos’ offense.
RJ Harvey Fantasy Football Outlook for 2025
For 2025 fantasy football leagues, Harvey projects as a late-round draft pick with high potential. Fantasy managers should closely monitor his integration into Payton’s offense during training camp, as well as the Broncos’ trust in putting him on the field during games.
While early success is not guaranteed, Harvey’s big-play ability gives fantasy owners plenty to be excited about late in drafts. He is the type of player who can break a game open with a single touch. In a year where running backs are hard to find, Harvey could quickly become a popular late-round target. Potentially, he could be someone you spend some FAAB on after a few weeks.
Dynasty Football Outlook
In dynasty league football formats, Harvey’s explosive potential makes him a top-tier rookie running back pick. He has a fantastic opportunity to become the future of the Broncos’ backfield. Whether he fully lives up to the Kamara comparison or not, Harvey has immense long-term upside. Ultimately, his ability to flip a game with one play could make him one of the most exciting young players in the NFL. RJ Harvey’s fantasy football and dynasty football outlooks both have plenty of upside.
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