The Broncos ran RJ Harvey as the lead back in Saturday's preseason opener at San Francisco. The rookie started and played 12 of the 19 first-team snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That included Harvey taking 12 of the 13 snaps on first or second down. J.K. Dobbins picked up the other one, as well as all of the third-down snaps. Harvey took all seven of the carries and edged Dobbins 2-1 in targets.
HC Sean Payton: "He'll continue to get work with the No. 1s, just like Dobbins. And then next week we'll flip it up, too, relative to seeing some of the other backs earlier."
There are a few different things to consider here ...
First, I don't think anyone believed Harvey's laughably low placement on Denver's first "unofficial" depth chart. (The Broncos might as well have just posted a picture of a middle finger.) This preseason opener confirmed everyone's doubts.
Second, this was just one game. We'll have to see what Payton means exactly by "flip it up" next time out. It's possible he leaned more toward Harvey simply to start breaking the rookie in. Dobbins has been in the league since 2020.
Third, it's an undeniably positive start for Harvey. There's plenty to break down with his actual performance. He showed some of the explosiveness, but plenty of observers also pointed out that the rookie showed too much propensity to look outside with his runs rather than pursuing the planned interior path. That aspect could factor into the size of Harvey's regular-season role, especially early.
As for Dobbins, the third-down role likely comes primarily for his reliability in protection. The veteran hasn't showed much as a receiver across his NFL career, averaging just 1.6 receptions per game and 5.6 yards per catch.
Dobbins caught a career-high 32 passes for last year's Chargers, while averaging a career-worst 4.8 yards per reception.
Ultimately, we'll see exactly how this backfield plays out. But initial usage keeps Harvey and Dobbins as decent -- not exciting -- values at current ADP.
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