Latest news with #RJHarvey
New York Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Broncos QB Bo Nix is comfortable heading into Year 2 but insists, ‘I have a lot to prove'
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Bo Nix received something akin to a hero's welcome everywhere he went in the Mile High City this offseason. Whether he was courtside at a Denver Nuggets game, banging the glass in the front row of a Colorado Avalanche game or throwing out the first pitch before a Colorado Rockies game against the New York Yankees, the young Broncos quarterback felt the love from fans still buzzing about a strong rookie campaign that helped lead Denver back to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade. That's what happens when you come in as a rookie in a QB-crazed town and look like the franchise answer the team had been searching for since Peyton Manning retired. Fortunately, Nix also has friends who are quick to remind him what all that adulation actually means — and, perhaps, more importantly, what it doesn't. 'I have a buddy on the team and we tell each other, 'You're still a nobody, you haven't done anything yet,'' Nix said Thursday after Denver's second OTA practice. ''You've got a lot to prove and a lot to go out there and do.' It's people like that who keep you in check. Those are teammates that have your back and continue to motivate you. I haven't done anything up to this point and have a lot to prove and a lot to show.' Advertisement Nix began practice Thursday by hitting new tight end Evan Engram up the left seam, a foundational brick of what the Broncos hope will become a fruitful connection this fall. Then, he handed the ball off to RJ Harvey, the rookie running back who was selected in the second round to give Denver's offense a needed jolt on the ground. Beyond those new targets, though, pretty much everything else is familiar to Nix. For the first time since winning back-to-back state championships as a high school quarterback in Alabama, Nix is playing under the same head coach, play-caller and quarterbacks coach for a second straight offseason. The quest to take another step forward after a rookie season in which he accounted for 34 touchdowns starts with that comfortable familiarity. 'It's kind of weird going into the first install and it's not new verbiage,' Nix said. 'So that made it a lot easier this year. Just being in a system where you can get right back to where you were and be able to call plays and understanding what it's like. To be able to go longer than 365 days hearing the same thing, I think it's going to be really beneficial. It felt weird because it hasn't been like that since high school. … It's hard to explain and you're going to see it in ways you can't even understand.' Back at it 😤#BroncosOTAs — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 29, 2025 Nix stressed that the comfort with the scheme and personnel around him, refreshing though it may be, doesn't guarantee him anything going into his second season. His offseason began with an extended period of rest and recovery for the first time in two years. Beyond recovering from a back injury he suffered late last season during a win against the Las Vegas Raiders, Nix said he simply needed to give him body a break after a marathon stretch that included his final season at Oregon, the whirlwind pre-draft circuit and then 18 games as a starter during his first NFL season. Advertisement 'It's just a lot of kind of winding down and building the body back right,' Nix said. 'That doesn't even mean fixing things that are hurt. It means giving your legs a rest and not running every day. It's giving your shoulder a rest and not throwing every day. I didn't throw a football for a while, but I was doing a lot of shoulder care and arm care and doing some rotational work that was kind of replacing throwing. Because when you throw, as a quarterback, I'm just worrying about where the ball ends up. Is it accurate? It's hard to really fix things and get back to the fundamentals and really hone in on them.' Nix had more time this offseason to drill down to the cellular level of his mechanics. Throwing tennis balls against a wall and whipping a towel freed him from 'worrying about where the ball is going' and focus entirely on each component of his rotational process. The tweak to his program, Nix said, left him feeling refreshed when he did start throwing the football. On the receiving end of some of those early passes was Engram, who has been in Denver since signing a two-year contract in March. Nix was in the building when Engram toured team headquarters and figured prominently into the tight end's decision to join the Broncos. 'It started by getting to know him, seeing what makes him tick and what makes him go and what his passions are,' Nix said of Engram. 'It's very clear from the beginning that he's all about football and all about taking care of himself. He's been here since he signed, getting ready and preparing. That's been good to see and I've been able to be around him a lot. Early in OTAs, you get to come out here and throw routes and see what he likes, what kind of routes he runs, what he's thinking. He's always asking me about certain things, and then when you get out to practice, it's all about seeing how he reacts. I'm excited to include him into what we've already got.' Nix has taken on a bigger role as a sounding board during his second offseason. At this time last year, he was in a three-way competition for the starting job with Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, trying to comprehend another new playbook. On Thursday, he was actively seeking out receivers to chat about precise details of their routes and where he wanted them to be, an illustration of a greater command of his role. Advertisement 'It's a lot different,' Broncos coach Sean Payton said of Nix's second offseason. 'We don't use that term 'pick up where you left off,' but just the processing, understanding of what we're doing, in and out of the huddle. These three days, as you're watching each decision, they're where you want the ball to go. It's entirely different.' • The Broncos will have six practices across two weeks of OTAs, all of which are voluntary. The Broncos had strong attendance Thursday, including linebacker Alex Singleton, who is in the final stages of his rehab from last September's ACL injury. Singleton did not participate in team drills but was active during the individual practice sessions. Injured linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quad) was at practice as an observer. Those not spotted in attendance Thursday: Defensive end John Franklin-Myers, cornerback Pat Surtain II, safety JL Skinner, tight end Cole Fotheringham, wide receiver A.T. Perry and offensive lineman Kristian Williams. • Safety Talanoa Hufanga spoke to the media for the first time since signing with the Broncos as a free agent in March and said there were plenty of things that made Denver a desired destination. But it started with the unit he would be joining. 'This defense is incredible,' he said. 'You look from the top to bottom and it's just players. So, for me, I just wanted to humbly come in and earn the respect of a crew that already did really well last year.' First look at @TalanoaHufanga 👀 — Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 29, 2025 Payton stressed that safety is a hard position to evaluate before pads come on, but he's already been impressed by Hufanga's demeanor and the way he communicates. 'Man, he's smart,' Payton said. 'He's a real good leader. He's played in real good defenses. So he's been a real positive addition and is going to help us a lot.' Advertisement • Second-year cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine had some impressive moments during 11-on-11 work, including an outstretched deflection on a pass up the sideline intended for running back Audric Estimé. • Wide receiver Courtland Sutton, who is working out at OTAs this season after missing them last year because of a contract dispute, made the play of the day when he leaped up to catch a pass from Nix on the sideline and tapped his toes before falling out of bounds.
Forbes
27-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
2025 Fantasy Football Outlook: RJ Harvey
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: UCF Knights running back RJ Harvey (7) runs the ball for a touchdown ... More during the football game between the UCF Knights and the Villanova Wildcats onSeptember 16, 2023 at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Andrew Bershaw/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Coming out of UCF, RJ Harvey wasn't viewed as a very highly ranked prospect. That said, Sean Payton and the Denver Broncos decided to take him in the second round (pick 60) of the NFL Draft. This selection has made him one of the more interesting backs for 2025 fantasy football. Per this data from DynastyFFDino on Reddit, round two running backs have a 28% chance of becoming an RB1 at some point in their career and a 51% chance at becoming an RB2. While Harvey certainly has some shortcomings, there's quite a bit of upside to his profile as well. With that in mind, let's take a look at the 2025 fantasy football outlook for RJ Harvey. At 5'9' and 208 lbs, Harvey reminds me a bit of Maurice Jones-Drew (5'7' and 210 lbs). Both are shorter backs, but they're more than heavy enough to carry an NFL workload. Funny enough, Jones-Drew was drafted at the exact same spot as Harvey and he went on to be a three time Pro Bowl running back. At UCF, Harvey showcased strong vision and the ability to make defenders miss in space. While Harvey doesn't necessarily have the best long speed, he can still break off plenty of explosive plays. When looking at Harvey from a 2025 fantasy football standpoint, going to the Broncos was a dream landing spot. Payton has a history of working with very good running backs, such as Mark Ingram, Reggie Bush and Alvin Kamara. The hope is that Payton can work with Harvey and get the most out of him. Another advantage Harvey has for fantasy football is that he's already in the prime age for his career. At 24 years old, Harvey spent extra time at UCF working on his game. While some may see Harvey on the same level as these other younger rookies, Harvey should be much more polished. You want to draft running backs who are on a good offense and Harvey fits that mold. Bo Nix had a very good rookie season and is looking to lead the team to an even better year two. On top of that, the Broncos added third round rookie Pat Bryant and free agent Evan Engram. Since rookies typically take longer to get on the field, Harvey dodged a bullet by landing with the Broncos. Audric Estime is currently projected to be the RB2 in the backfield and he was a 5th round pick who only had 310 yards (4.1 YPC) last season. ORLANDO, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 28: RJ Harvey #7 of the UCF Knights runs the ball in the first half of a ... More game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at FBC Mortgage Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by) With all of this in mind, it's time to rank Harvey for fantasy football. While a lot is going to change between now and the start of the year, Harvey was shockingly high in my 2025 fantasy football rankings. Harvey is my 48th overall player in a 1QB, PPR format. For reference, that makes him the RB20 and that 48th overall rank is 32 spots higher than FantasyPros Expert Consensus Ranking. Harvey is a great value for 2025 fantasy drafts if you can get him as a mid to low end RB2. Even though I wasn't a huge fan of Harvey coming out of college, he's a player who will be on a lot of my 2025 fantasy football teams.
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Broncos RB RJ Harvey hints at number change
Broncos RB RJ Harvey hints at number change When Denver Broncos rookies picked their jersey numbers earlier this month, running back RJ Harvey landed on No. 37. It seems safe to assume that won't be his number when the regular season arrives. During an interview with Meghan Payton (Sean Payton's daughter) at the NFLPA's Rookie Premiere last week, Harvey indicated that he hopes to secure a single-digit number with the Broncos. Meghan mentioned No. 4, then Harvey suggested No. 5, which currently belongs to wide receiver Trent Sherfield. This week, after the UCF Knights posted a mural on their Instagram story showing Harvey wearing No. 37 in a Denver uniform, the running back responded on his own Instagram story with the caption: "Shoulda waited." Sherfield has never worn No. 5 in the NFL, so he might not have a special attachment to it. The veteran receiver previously wore Nos. 16 (twice), 81, 14 and 11 before landing with the Broncos this offseason. We'll see if Harvey is able to strike a deal with his new teammate for No. 5 ahead of organized team activities next week. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
The Herald Scotland
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
How to buy Denver Broncos NFL tickets, Denver Broncos schedule
With new RB RJ Harvey on the field with Nix, fans in the mile high city should be excited for what's next for Denver's offense. Can the Broncos take the next step and make a playoff run? See below for Denver's full schedule and how to get tickets to support your Denver Broncos in person. Shop Denver Broncos NFL tickets Denver Broncos 2025 NFL tickets Tickets to each Denver Broncos game, both home and away, are already available for purchase. Some key home matchups for the Chiefs include divisional games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. If that's not enough, the Broncos will also host Joe Burrow and the Bengals along with an inter-conference showdown against the Dallas Cowboys. Denver Broncos tickets Get your Denver Broncos regular season tickets today! Shop Denver Broncos 2025 NFL tickets Denver Broncos 2025 NFL schedule Week 1 : Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos : Tennessee Titans vs. Denver Broncos Week 2 : Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts : Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts Week 3 : Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers : Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers Week 4 : Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos : Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos Week 5 : Denver Broncos vs. Philadelphia Eagles : Denver Broncos vs. Philadelphia Eagles Week 6 : International game in London - Denver Broncos at New York Jets : International game in London - Denver Broncos at New York Jets Week 7 : New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos : New York Giants vs. Denver Broncos Week 8 : Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos : Dallas Cowboys vs. Denver Broncos Week 9 : Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans : Denver Broncos vs. Houston Texans Week 10 : Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos : Las Vegas Raiders vs. Denver Broncos Week 11 : Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs : Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs Week 12 : BYE WEEK : BYE WEEK Week 13 : Denver Broncos vs. Washington Commanders : Denver Broncos vs. Washington Commanders Week 14 : Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders : Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders Week 15 : Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos : Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos Week 16 : Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars : Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Week 17 : Christmas Day game - Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs -- GET TICKETS : Christmas Day game - Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs -- GET TICKETS Week 18: Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers NFL TRAVEL TIPS: Planning to secure NFL tickets? Here's a look at travel tips and gameday essentials Denver Broncos NFL Week 1 opponent The Broncos start the 2025 regular season against the Tennessee Titans. When does the NFL season start? The 2025 NFL regular season kicks off in Philadelphia when the defending champion Eagles host the Dallas Cowboys. The Broncos season will begin on Sunday, Sept. 7 against the Tennessee Titans. We're on Instagram! Follow USA TODAY Shopping for NFL merch drops, ticketing news and more Shop Denver Broncos NFL tickets How to watch the NFL, TV channels, streaming services The regular season begins on Thursday, Sept. 4 when the Eagles host the Cowboys. There are a number of ways to watch the NFL this season, as games are played on a variety of TV channels and streaming services. Make sure to subscribe in order to catch every second of heart-pounding NFL action this season.
New York Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Broncos' RJ Harvey eager to make a needed ‘immediate impact' on run game
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The jump cut was sharper than a cleaver. It left Jahdae Barron grabbing for air and searching for an answer. So the Denver Broncos' first-round pick stood on the seat of an empty locker after Saturday's rookie minicamp practice and hoisted himself above a crowd of media members gathered around rookie running back RJ Harvey. Barron turned on his phone's camera, waited for an opening and lobbed a query of his own at his new teammate. Advertisement 'Why did you juke Jahdae today with that move at practice?' Barron asked. When the Broncos selected Harvey with the 60th pick in last month's draft, coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton were asked to project Harvey's potential impact as a pass catcher after being used relatively little in that role at Central Florida. They were questioned about the running back's blocking ability. Payton on Saturday was even asked whether Harvey, a high school quarterback who attempted four passes during his college career, could be used as a passer in a trick-play package. 'You can sell me on anything,' Payton responded, 'but I'm focusing on the runner right now.' To see the 5-foot-8, 208-pound rookie nimbly and powerfully make cuts during Saturday's practice was to be reminded that the Broncos drafted Harvey to run the ball and run it well. The Broncos have not had a running back produce a 100-yard game since Payton became the head coach in 2023. The team has not produced a 1,000-yard rusher in a season since Phillip Lindsay in 2019. Beyond being a stranger to those milestones, the Broncos simply have not been able to consistently enforce their will with the running game when it matters most. The lackluster performance during Denver's 31-7 loss to the Buffalo Bills, when the team's running backs gained only 35 rushing yards on 11 carries, serves as the most glaring example. RJ Harvey and the Broncos just wrapped up their second practice in a 3-day rookie minicamp. — Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) May 10, 2025 Harvey plans to be part of a quick fix. 'I want to make an immediate impact in this league,' he said. 'I want to be like those guys. Darren Sproles, he went crazy with the Saints; (Alvin) Kamara, too. I want to be better than those guys, so I'm going to work every day to get better and just prove myself to all the vets and the coaches.' Advertisement Harvey will be used in the passing game more than during his college career, a process that began this week as he drilled choice routes and wheels out of the backfield. Harvey sat with Payton before minicamp began Friday and watched film of Sproles and Kamara doing damage with those schemes. It's an area of his game he is eager to expand, and he looked natural while catching all three wheel routes thrown his way Saturday. 'We didn't run a lot of routes at UCF, so it's something to get better at,' Harvey said. 'And I'm going to get better at it.' Harvey will also be used in pass protection, occasionally asked to stonewall a linebacker trying to make a beeline to quarterback Bo Nix. But Payton stressed that the Broncos won't pile too much onto Harvey's plate too soon. In 2024, for example, rookie Audric Estimé was asked to pass block on only eight of the 134 offensive snaps he played, according to TruMedia. 'I know the question: 'Is he a three-down back?'' Payton said. 'Well, he's going to play on third down. But he can play on third down where the tight end is in protection. There's a lot we can do relative to really suiting his strengths. It would happen with Darren (Sproles) where every once in a while you might get matched up on NaVorro Bowman or Patrick Willis, but I'm not going to get in a habit of doing that. But if you look at (Harvey's) stature, he's put together pretty well. There's a difference between a small runner and short runner. We're not interested in the small runners, but we're OK with the short runners.' The third-down responsibilities will take time to master. There is no one screaming through the 'A' gap to block during padless practices in May, after all. Harvey said his top focus right now is absorbing the playbook and getting acclimated to Denver altitude that is a mile higher — and thinner — than that of Orlando, Fla. Advertisement 'I'm getting adjusted to it. It's been a little tough, but I've been getting through it,' Harvey said. 'Everybody has said it'll take about a week or two to get used to it, so I'll be fine.' Harvey revealed Saturday that he had the Broncos circled as a preferred destination in the draft. The biggest reason? 'Bo Nix,' the running back said. 'I love how he plays.' Harvey was coached at Central Florida by Gus Malzahn, who previously coached Nix for two seasons at Auburn. Harvey heard from Denver's second-year quarterback immediately after being drafted and the two have been in constant communication since. 'He's a competitor. He's just like me. I've got that quarterback mentality and mindset, as well,' Harvey said. 'I just want to win and dominate every play. He's just like that.' Harvey and Nix will get on the field together for the first time later this month when the veterans and rookies begin OTA practices. Harvey will be a target for a quarterback who threw 116 passes to running backs last year, watering a route tree that will grow throughout the summer. He'll spend the upcoming weeks studying pass-blocking tape so that he can buy his quarterback an extra second when the pressure comes fast. But the best way Harvey can help relieve some of Nix's burden is to keep running jukes like the one he used to slip out of Barron's reach Saturday. 'Why did you do that?' Barron repeated above the crowd of reporters circling around Harvey. Harvey laughed, then shot back his response: 'I had to get that first round.' • Linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who suffered a quad strain while working out on his own last month, will be a full participant in training camp when it begins at the end of July. • Payton had a glowing review of Barron's first two days of work at minicamp: 'I would say (he is) exactly what we saw on tape: smart, savvy. If you're watching closely, some people transition and stop very quickly. He has really quick twitch; he's sticky in coverage. I think he's one of those players that already, at a young age, understands splits. I worry sometimes with the corners that if you're defending every route, you're defending no route. He's really savvy as to a tight split, he eliminates 80 percent of what could be run. You feel a veteran player.'
