Sean Payton Shares Blunt Message on RJ Harvey’s Future Role

The Denver Broncos’ backfield has become a storyline to watch after head coach Sean Payton made revealing comments about rookie running back RJ Harvey.

As FantasyPros noted, during last Sunday’s broadcast of the Jets vs. Broncos game in London, Payton told Kurt Warner that Harvey “can be a special type of player with the ball in his hands” and admitted that “maybe the only thing holding him back is me not calling his number enough.”  

Despite limited touches, Harvey’s efficiency and involvement in the passing game have turned heads. 

J.K. Dobbins continues to handle the early-down workload as he has averaged 4.9 yards per carry and has 442 yards on the season.

However, the last game against the Jets was his least efficient rushing game of the season, only averaging 2.9 yards per carry on 14 rushes. 

As the season goes on, RJ Harvey looks poised to take on a bigger role, especially with J.K. Dobbins’ injury history.

Harvey’s shown he can make the most of every touch, and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield adds another layer to Sean Payton’s offense.

He’s already earned the staff’s trust, and it feels like just a matter of time before he’s a bigger part of the game plan.

RJ Harvey Rookie Season So Far

RJ Harvey’s average draft position (ADP) in fantasy football this year was around the 5th or 6th round. It is very clear that he has not lived up to those fantasy expectations but it is not entirely his fault. 

The Broncos have brought the talented rookie along slowly through the first six games, easing him into the offense.

So far, Harvey has played just 30% of the team’s offensive snaps on average, with his highest workload coming in Week 4 against the Bengals  when he was on the field for 41% of snaps in a blowout win.

At first glance, those numbers might seem underwhelming, but they don’t tell the full story. 

Harvey has made the most of his limited opportunities, flashing the explosiveness and versatility that could earn him a bigger role as the season unfolds.

When Harvey has been on the field so far this season, he has emerged as one of the more efficient complementary backs in the league, averaging 4.8 yards per touch and running a route on 36% of the team’s passing plays. 

Despite limited snaps, Harvey has been highly efficient in the passing game, hauling in 16 of 18 targets for 108 yards and a touchdown.

His dual-threat ability has caught the attention of both the coaching staff and fantasy analysts. 

Harvey’s Season Outlook 

Looking ahead, Harvey’s role could quietly expand as the Broncos face the Giants and Cowboys in the next two weeks. 

Harvey led the FBS last year in runs of 10-plus yards, and rushed for nearly 3,000 yards over his final two seasons at UCF. 

Earlier this year, Payton raved about Harvey’s potential, saying, “When you look at the running skill set, it was ‘wow’ the explosive runs, all of those things.”

Now, just a few months later, his message remains consistent. This week, Payton acknowledged that “the only thing holding him back might just be opportunity,” adding, “He’s going to be an important piece” for the Broncos moving forward.

For now, Dobbins remains the starter, but Harvey’s pass-catching and explosiveness make him a valuable stash or “buy-low” candidate in fantasy leagues. 

He has the kind of upside and late-season potential that reminds you of Bucky Irving last year, a player who came on strong down the stretch and turned into a true “league winner” in fantasy.

From a football standpoint, the Broncos love what they have seen from the rookie so far. Harvey will be a critical piece down the stretch of the season as the Broncos push toward the postseason with Super Bowl aspirations.

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