Concise 2025 outlook notes for RJ Harvey (DEN, RB1 potential)

- Role and opportunity
  - Strong upside if he wins a true lead back role in Sean Payton’s system; Broncos lack a clear entrenched starter.
  - Backfield is volatile (McLaughlin, Dobbins rumors, plus Harvey as a 3rd-down/receiving option if pass-blocking improves). Expect a committee early, with Harvey potentially emerging as the lead if he wins pass protection and catches.
  - 66 vacated RB targets from 2024 create a path to a workable receiving role, but volume hinges on Harvey’s non-blocking ability and coach usage.

- Talent and scheme fit
  - Inside zone/zone-heavy profile fits Harvey: class-leading inside-zone usage (61% at UCF); high efficiency on inside zone; college background includes shotgun usage, which aligns with Denver’s modern backfield concepts.
  - FF Hound consensus positions Harvey as a high-upside late-round target; absolute floor around RB25 (Yahoo), with a ceiling near top-15 if usage blossoms.

- Pros and cons (actionable)
  - Pros
    - High upside in Payton’s backfield; past Payton RB2s averaged ~13.4 PPR PPG, suggesting meaningful weekly upside if Harvey grabs a large share.
    - Vacated targets and a versatile skill set (40+ receptions college career; 32 rushing TDs) hint at a multi-dimensional role.
    - Age/athletic profile is favorable for a late-round swing (24 years old; college production supports workload capacity).
  - Cons
    - Pass-blocking graded as one of the weaker RBs in his class; if he can’t improve, his third-down snaps and overall “on-field” role may be limited.
    - Backfield competition (McLaughlin’s trust from Payton; potential veteran presence; Dobbins rumor mill) could cap early-year workload.
    - Early days on depth chart show Harvey behind other backs; real opportunity requires favorable camp/preseason progression.

- Sentiment and discussion points from Reddit FF community
  - Highly debated: many view Harvey as a legitimate RB1 upside in Denver; others warn about backfield clutter and real role not guaranteed.
  - Consensus among several threads: Harvey is a value late in drafts; he’s a strong “hidden upside” target if you can stomach the risk.
  - Some chatter about Marvin Mims not threatening Harvey for targets; however, volume hinges on Denver’s usage of RBs in the passing game.

- Draft strategy implications
  - ADP context: around Round 6 (mid-60s), RB25 floor; high upside from a late-round pick.
  - Best use: as a late-round stash with a plausible path to weekly flex/RB2 production if he wins clear lead-back duties by mid-season.
  - Be prepared for a volatile early portion of the season; don’t rely on him as a week-to-week starter until he seizes pass protection and shows clear involvement in the receiving game.

- What to monitor in camp/preseason
  - Depth chart movement: any shift higher on the Broncos’ pecking order, especially into a true early-down role.
  - Pass-blocking improvement: if Harvey shows notable progress, his third-down snaps and target share could rise quickly.
  - Usage in the preseason: receiving targets and goal-line/eject plays will signal how Denver intends to deploy him.

- Quick take
  - Realistic: Harvey has RB1 upside in a Payton-led, vacated-target environment, but he’s far from a slam-dunk without proven pass-blocking and a clean path to a sizeable share. Expect a setup where he could become a weekly contributor in PPR formats if camp/ preseason trends solidify, but draft him with the understanding you’re betting on role clarification and improvement as the season unfolds.