Renck: Broncos coach Sean Payton went Jay-Z after, not seeing the Broncos’ A-Game on Saturday. He had 14 problems with the Santa Clara Experience, but running back wasn’t one. Rookie RJ Harvey unexpectedly cracked himself open, let the yolk run, and brought the Broncos with him. Watching the kid bust outside the tackles reminded us all what explosiveness looks like. Denver has not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Phillip Lindsay in 2019. And it has not had a 100-yard rusher in 35 games. Given Harvey’s usage and promise, it poses the question: Will he overtake J.K. Dobbins as the starter for the season opener?
Keeler: Pretty sure he will. Harvey’s the option with younger legs, less mileage, faster acceleration off the snap and more of a workhorse build. The burst is real. The cuts are clean. But No. 37’s tendency to bounce outside could get problematic. That was one of the knocks on Harvey coming out of UCF, and it popped up again at Santa Clara. RJ could beat 85-90% of Power 4 college linebackers to the “D” gap, turn on a dime and zoom to daylight. That daylight is fleeting against NFL defenders, especially ones that can close. Harvey’s bouncing might turn into a nice run of explosion plays. It might also lead to some second- and third-down distances that Payton’s going to loathe.
Renck: Payton has said it will be obvious to everyone how the depth chart will fall based on practices and exhibitions. What the 49ers game screamed is that the coach is trying to accelerate Harvey’s learning curve. He was featured on outside run plays and showed the ability to turn the corner. He will learn that he must put his foot in the ground, and get north and south through the middle of the line more often. Harvey, 24, received seven carries. Dobbins, 26, got none. My guess is that Dobbins will be the feature back in either Thursday’s joint practice against the Cardinals or on Saturday night. If not, then it will be a clear sign that Dobbins is being typecast as a third-down back.
Keeler: True enough. But when something works, why fight it? Per ProFootballReference.com, Dobbins has averaged more yards per rush on third down (7.2) and more yards per catch on third down (6.5) than he has on first down and second down. That might not scream “Samaje Perine.” But it’s a safer bet on a critical conversion than a rookie who’s still learning on the job. Harvey has the toolbox to be whatever you want him to be. Me? I want a veteran as third-down security to start the season.
Renck: Dobbins has a history of being deadly in September, averaging 5.72 yards. Payton knows a fast start is the fast track to a division title. So, I am not selling stock on Dobbins. The Broncos ranked 25th in yards after contact last season, spoiling the work of a Broncos’ offensive line that was first in run block win rate. Dobbins can bring physicality early, before ceding carries to Harvey as the season progresses. It conjures memories of Payton’s first season in New Orleans in 2006 when Deuce McAllister ran for 1,057 yards on 244 carries and rookie Reggie Bush added 565 on 155.
Keeler: The question is: If all other things are equal, who’s going to be Payton’s Deuce and who’s going to be his Bush? My money’s on true 1A/1B time-share that’s going to infuriate a lot of fantasy football wonks early on while Sunshine Sean rides the hot hand. I’d still wager on Harvey — if he’s healthy — getting the bulk of the work down the stretch. And on first down.
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