The running back room just got a little more crowded in Denver. After being a second-round pick for the Denver Broncos in the 225 NFL Draft, RJ Harvey has fit in very well in the Broncos' offense, garnering a lot of attention from the media as the potential starter for the AFC West team. However, the Broncos' latest signing could be a threat to that position for Harvey.
The Denver Broncos just signed NFL veteran running back J.K. Dobbins to a one-year, $5.25 million deal on Tuesday. Dobbins spent last season with fellow AFC West team the Los Angeles Chargers, and before that, four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Dobbins put together a modest showing in Los Angeles with 905 yards on 195 carries and nine rushing touchdowns in 13 games.
After a solid rookie season with the Ravens, Dobbins has dealt with injury in the last four seasons of his career, missing the 2021 season altogether with an ACL tear that he suffered during preseason. He only played eight games in the 2022 season due to a knee injury, and only one game in 2023 after tearing his Achilles in Week 1. In 2024, Dobbins was unable to finish the season due to an MCL sprain and the team failing to make the playoffs.
Harvey has been raved about in Denver in his first month with the Broncos, but with the running back position seeming to have been lacking with he team for a while, so much hype has been around the former UCF rushing leader. With the signing of Dobbins, the Broncos get a veteran presence in the running back room, and Harvey loses some of the pressure of being the running back savior for the Broncos.
RJ Harvey has some competition now with the Denver Broncos
At first, Harvey was looked at as potentially being the third down back for the Broncos, but with the progress he has had early on, many have felt he could easily be the workhorse Denver has been desiring for years now. However, now with Dobbins on the roster, Harvey has some competition on his hands.
Dobbins comes with five years of experience with NFL teams, but his injury history should be troubling for the Broncos. Harvey has shown he can play rough and tough, just as he did at UCF, but the NFL is a whole new level. There is hope that Dobbins can stay healthy and the Broncos can use a true committee back in Denver, but if that is no longer the case, Harvey is there to take the starting position if needed.
If Dobbins stays healthy and wins the starting back role, then Harvey has time to develop into the great running back that the Broncos and the whole UCF fan base are hoping he can be.