Sean Payton Sends High Praise to RJ Harvey After Breakout Game vs. Raiders

Denver Broncos rookie running back RJ Harvey just delivered the most complete performance of his young career. 

Sean Payton is making sure everyone knows how impressed he is. 

Speaking with reporters after the win over Las Vegas, Payton offered multiple words of high praise of his rookie back.  

“We drafted the runner. What we saw from him as a runner… we saw enough his senior year as a senior. It was the opposite of Kamara,” Payton said, via Zac Stevens. 

He went on to note that although Harvey is shorter than a typical feature back, he is “put together well.” 

Payton also highlighted Harvey’s physicality and toughness at the point of attack, saying the rookie has “really good contact balance.”

Payton has made it clear that he has his full confidence in Harvey as the season has gone on: 

“RJ Harvey is growing up quick.” 

After being thrust into a starting role following J.K. Dobbins’ season-ending injury, Harvey has steadily earned a larger workload and the trust of the coaching staff in big moments. 

Veteran offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey added that Harvey “played his a** off.” 

Harvey Delivers a Breakout Performance on the Ground vs. Raiders

Harvey has been great all year through the passing game and in the red zone, but today marked the first true game he was able to run the ball extremely well. 

He finished the game with 75 yards on the ground and a rush touchdown. 

He also added 25 more in the air. 

His physical running style showed up repeatedly throughout the day. 

On one check-down, he absorbed a massive hit from Jamal Adams, stayed upright, and turned a potential loss into a positive gain. 

That sequence perfectly encapsulated what Payton referenced when praising Harvey’s elite contact balance. 

Despite his size, Harvey consistently bounced off first contact, slipped through arm tackles, and squeezed through tight lanes all afternoon. 

With 17 carries and six catches, this marked Harvey’s biggest workload of the season. 

The rookie has grown into handling a heavy workload, and the Broncos will continue to rely on him as their playoff run begins.

Harvey has Stepped Up in Place of J.K. Dobbins

When Dobbins went down last month, Denver lost a top five rusher in the entire NFL.

They hoped Harvey could help shoulder the load but he has surpassed expectations so far. 

In his three games as a starter he has three touchdowns, giving him nine on the season which leads all rookies. 

As a second-round pick, Harvey was always viewed as a long-term investment. 

His recent play is proving that investment is paying off. 

Just this week, Payton said about Harvey that “You haven’t seen anything yet.” 

His breakout game on the ground against the Raiders has elevated him even further. 

He has stepped up and demonstrated maturity, toughness, and growth at a crucial stage of the season and is a big part of the reason why the Broncos offense has turned it on in the last few games. 

For a team eyeing the postseason, Harvey’s emergence couldn’t have come at a better time.

As Payton’s praise makes clear, the rookie is quickly earning trust not just as a short-term replacement, but as a long-term piece of Denver’s backfield. 

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