Broncos’ RJ Harvey Quietly Leads NFL in Major Fantasy Football Stat

The NFL world took notice Monday morning when Underdog Fantasy posted an eye-catching stat that put Denver Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey atop one of the league’s most efficient fantasy football metrics.

Among all running backs with at least 40 touches this season, RJ Harvey ranks first in Fantasy Points per Touch, averaging an impressive 1.23 points per touch.

Next on this list is Jonathan Taylor (1.13), Bijan Robinson (0.95), Javonte Williams (0.94), and Kareem Hunt (0.93).

For perspective, the rookie’s efficiency puts him ahead of proven superstars like Taylor and Robinson, which is remarkable for a player who began the season buried on the depth chart.

Though Harvey has seen limited snaps behind JK Dobbins, he’s made the most of every opportunity he has gotten so far this season. 

Making the Most of Limited Opportunities

Through nine games this season, Harvey has only been on the field an average of 29.33 snaps per game. 

Despite the limited snaps, he has made the most of every opportunity, averaging 4.5 yards per carry for 205 yards, catching 23 of 26 targets for 166 yards while also scoring six touchdowns on the season. 

Harvey has five total touchdowns in his last three games, including three receiving scores, which already set a Broncos rookie record for running backs.

In Sunday’s 18-15 win over Houston, he caught five passes for 51 yards and a touchdown, beating linebacker Henry To’oTo’o on a 27-yard route that showcased his elite acceleration and balance.

Harvey was on the field for 32% of snaps on Sunday, which was his second-highest snap count of the season. 

“We’re just starting to see, right in front of our eyes, a guy we felt strongly about,” Payton said after the win. “He can go.”

A Rising Weapon in Denver’s Offense

Harvey’s emergence has given Denver’s offense a new dynamic alongside Dobbins, who remains one of the NFL’s top rushers.

Payton has used Harvey creatively, from slot alignments to choice routes that mirror Alvin Kamara’s usage in New Orleans. 

While his total snap count remains modest, efficiency has made him impossible to ignore from a fantasy football perspective. 

Harvey’s 1.23 fantasy points per touch highlights just how much value Denver squeezes from each play involving him. 

Whether it’s a dump-off screen or a red-zone route, Denver is looking to get him involved as much as possible when he is on the field. 

“I’m just staying ready,” Harvey said. “Whenever my number’s called, I just try to make the most of it.”

With Harvey’s production in such a limited amount of snaps, it is going to get even harder for Payton to keep him off the field going forward.

His snap rate should continue to increase as the season goes on, which means his production will continue to increase down the stretch and into the fantasy football playoffs. 

Additionally, JK Dobbins, who starts ahead of Harvey, has historically been a very injury-prone player. Over the last four years, he has missed 47 games. 

RJ Harvey could be the type of a player that can be a fantasy football league winner. 

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