Denver Broncos DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

On Thursday, Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton noted that running back Audric Estime will garner increased opportunities in his second season with the team. "He's a back that requires enough touches," said Payton. "He's going to get those opportunities." The former fifth-round rookie was undoubtedly lacking in opportunities in 2024 -- placing fourth on the team in carries and rushing yards behind backfield mates Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin and quarterback Bo Nix. Estime was a productive player in his final season at Notre Dame, finishing with 1,341 yards and 18 rushing scores in 12 games. However, Denver's recent selection of RJ Harvey in the second round adds formidable competition in the backfield. Harvey is slotted in first on the team's unofficial depth chart, ahead of Estime for now. The latter projects to be more of a traditional short-yardage back due to his larger stature, but Harvey is also a force between the tackles and profiles as a better pass-catcher despite poor pass-protection skills.

Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey has become one of the hottest fantasy football names among rookies after being selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. According to team reporter Andrew Mason, the University of Central Florida product had a strong minicamp and "made another statement" at Thursday's OTA practice. Harvey was the fifth running back off the board last month after rushing for 3,789 yards (6.5 YPC) and 43 rushing touchdowns over the last three seasons. He added 61 receptions for 720 yards and four scores in 41 games. In Sean Payton's offense, expectations are high for the versatile and explosive back. He has minimal competition in the Denver backfield, and he should be utilized heavily as a receiver right away. Harvey should have no problem producing an RB2 season as a rookie, and he has an RB1 ceiling.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix enjoyed a fantastic rookie campaign, completing over 66% of his passes for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He added 430 yards and three scores as a runner. Heading into his sophomore campaign, the Auburn and Oregon product will have familiarity and stability he is not accustomed to. For the first time since high school, Nix will begin a season with the same head coach and play-caller in place in back-to-back seasons. He will also have the same quarterbacks coach, Davis Webb, and Nick Kosmider of The Athletic projects his starting offensive line to be the same as last year's group. Nix finished last year's season as the overall QB7, and new weapons, RJ Harvey, Evan Engram, and Pat Bryant, should provide upgrades over last year's supporting cast. Nix is being valued around the QB8 spot in early fantasy football drafts, but he could have top-five upside at the position thanks to his rushing floor and ceiling.

The Denver Broncos have intentionally been getting rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey pass-catching reps in rookie minicamp. General manager George Paton said that Harvey might have the best vision of any RB in this year's NFL draft. The young runner set Central Florida's all-time touchdown record and led the Big 12 in rushing touchdowns in his final season in 2024. He also became the second player in school history to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Harvey caught only 20 passes at UCF last season, but head coach Sean Payton said Harvey will have the ability to play on third down -- in addition to first and second own -- because of a variety of protection options. It sounds like Payton plans on using Harvey more as a pass-catcher at the next level, and he has the skills to become a three-down back sooner than later for the Broncos in 2025.

The Denver Broncos agreed to a four-year rookie contract with third-round wide receiver Pat Bryant on Wednesday, a source told 9 News' Mike Klis. The Broncos selected the Illinois product with the 74th overall pick to give them more wideout depth behind WR1 Courtland Sutton in 2025 and beyond. It's another weapon for second-year quarterback Bo Nix, and the 22-year-old pass-catcher should give him a nice big target with a wide catch radius at 6-foot-2, 204 pounds. Bryant has drawn comparisons to former Saints receiver Michael Thomas, who had a nice history with head coach Sean Payton. He could have trouble separating from defensive backs in the NFL, but Bryant's production (17 touchdowns the last two years) speaks for itself. Bryant will most likely struggle for volume in 2025 as he competes with Marvin Mims Jr., Devaughn Vele and Troy Franklin.