RJ Harvey Gets Role Boost, Scores Again

What They're Saying

HC Sean Payton: "We're just starting to see, right in front of our eyes, a guy that we felt strongly about. He can go. And he and [J.K.] Dobbins, that one-two combination, it's nice to have as a coach."

Luca Evans of The Denver Post: "Payton anticipated that a top-ranked Houston defense would run heavy doses of quarters [coverage], so he drew up a game plan in which he felt 'RJ would have opportunities.'"

2025 Fantasy Football Impact

According to Pro Football Focus, Harvey played 41.7% in "normal early-down situations." The rookie had fallen short of 30% snap share in those situations each of the previous five games.

Harvey also ran a route on a season-high 43.6% of Denver dropbacks, a nice jump from his previous high of 33.3%.

The key question, of course: Did that boost simply come from Payton surmising that Harvey fit the matchup well, or does it signal a more lasting increase in his role? We'll have to see.

The second-round pick had reached 30% snap shares overall just twice through the first eight games -- none since Week 4.

And be careful not to overrate Harvey's three-game TD streak. Those contests have found him logging five, eight, and seven total touches. That's not a trustworthy workload range for a RB, especially when Sunday's 5-catch outing followed a pair of 1-catch performances.

Denver gets a soft Raiders defense in Week 10 that looks especially vulnerable in coverage at LB. That could make it easier to play Harvey as an RB3 type.