RJ Harvey Fantasy Overview

2025 Role & Results

Production & Fantasy Finishes

RB20 on the Year, Volatile Weekly

Harvey played all 17 games as a rookie, totaling 540 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs, 47 catches, 356 receiving yards, and 5 receiving TDs.

He finished:

• 20th among RBs in total PPR points
• 24th in PPR points per game
• 28th in expected points per game

Harvey posted seven top-12 weeks and eight top-24 finishes, but he also fell outside the top 36 six times. The final line looked solid, but the weekly ride was boom or bust.

Usage & Role

Harvey’s season changed dramatically after Dobbins went down.

In 10 games with Dobbins, Harvey played a limited role, averaging:

• 5.0 carries
• 2.9 targets
• 10.0 PPR points per game (RB32)

He was RB49 in expected points per game over that stretch.

In seven games without Dobbins, Harvey’s role grew into legitimate fantasy-starter territory. He averaged:

• 13.7 carries
• 4.1 targets
• 15.2 PPR points per game (RB13)

He was RB5 in expected points per game without Dobbins.

That split defines Harvey’s 2025. He was a bench player with Dobbins healthy and a high-end RB2 when Dobbins was out.

Efficiency & Regression

Harvey’s receiving profile was much better than his rushing profile last year.

Among 51 RBs with 90+ carries, Harvey ranked:

• 42nd in yards per carry
• 48th in rush yards over expected per attempt
• 43rd in yards after contact per attempt
• 34th in missed tackles forced per attempt
• 46th in PFF rushing grade

That’s a concerning rushing profile. Harvey averaged just 3.7 yards per carry and finished with minus-91 rushing yards over expected.

Harvey looked much better in the passing game. Among 40 RBs with 30+ targets, he ranked:

• 15th in PFF receiving grade
• 12th in yards per route run
• sixth in targets per route run

He also tied for third among RBs with 5 receiving TDs, though his 3.1 expected receiving TDs suggest some scoring regression.

Offensive Context

Denver gave Harvey a strong receiving environment, targeting RBs on 20.3% of pass attempts, the fourth-highest rate in the league, while ranking third in plays per game.

The rushing environment was less exciting. Denver ranked just 19th in rush rate (41.2) and 20th in rushing attempts per game (26.4). The Broncos certainly leaned pass-heavy, with their pass rate climbing to 58.2% under Sean Payton last year.

That setup helps explain Harvey’s output: useful receiving volume but inconsistent rushing production.

2026 Opportunity & Projection

Projected Role & Competition

Harvey looks set to remain Denver’s passing-down back and change-of-pace option after the Broncos brought back Dobbins.

Dobbins' two-year, $16 million deal with $8 million guaranteed makes it clear Harvey isn't taking the lead role. He's competing with Dobbins for touches instead.

Dobbins was clearly the better runner last year. Through Week 10, he averaged 15.3 carries per game and ranked RB23 in PPR points per game. He also beat Harvey in carries inside the 5-yard line, 7-3, before getting hurt.

The rushing-efficiency gap was significant. Dobbins ranked 18th among 51 qualifying RBs in yards per carry, fourth in rushing yards over expected per attempt, 15th in yards after contact per attempt, 12th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 18th in PFF rushing grade. Harvey trailed him in every category.

The Broncos also added fourth-round rookie Jonah Coleman, who could work his way into snaps as well.

Supporting Cast

Nix returns as the starting QB. His 25th-ranked average depth of target, paired with one of the league’s highest RB target rates, helps Denver’s backs in the passing game -- though Harvey’s better positioned than Dobbins to capitalize.

The offense also added pass-catching talent, acquiring Jaylen Waddle to join WR Courtland Sutton and TE Evan Engram. That mix could help sustain drives and produce scoring chances, even if it also adds target competition for Harvey.Sean Payton Built a Friendly PPR Environment

Coaching & Offensive Scheme

Sean Payton has consistently built fantasy-friendly offenses throughout his coaching career, including in Denver.

Payton has shifted the Broncos toward a faster, more pass-leaning offense over the last three seasons:

Even with J.K. Dobbins healthy through the first 10 weeks, Denver still leaned pass-heavy:

• 57.2% pass rate
• 57.6% neutral pass rate
• +4.0% pass rate over expected

Payton’s history suggests Denver could continue trending further toward the pass and a faster pace in 2026.

Paths To Ceiling

Dobbins and Coleman crowd the backfield, limiting opportunity upside and lowering Harvey’s ceiling.

We already saw Harvey’s limited upside with Dobbins healthy, as he averaged:

• 5.0 carries
• 2.9 targets
• 10.0 PPR points per game (RB32)

The Broncos likely wouldn’t have brought Dobbins back on a two-year, $16 million contract if they planned on Harvey taking over the backfield.

In a committee, Harvey’s best path to increased upside is dominating passing-down and goal-line receiving work. He tied for third among RBs with 5 receiving TDs, and Denver averaged 4.1 RB targets per game after Dobbins went down.

The ceiling is a PPR RB2 with spike-week potential, but hitting that without injuries in front of him seems unlikely.

Risk Factors

Harvey’s rushing inefficiency, even after the Dobbins injury, shows real risks this season.

He ranked near the bottom among qualifying RBs in yards per carry, rush yards over expected per attempt, yards after contact per attempt, and PFF rushing grade. That makes it hard to argue he deserves to take work from Dobbins.

Not only did the Broncos bring Dobbins back, but they also drafted Jonah Coleman in the fourth round.

That isn’t the action of a team that expects Harvey to take over this season. He may simply not have the role to make a fantasy impact most weeks.