ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — After weeks of anticipation, the Broncos have added to their backfield.
With the 60th-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Denver selected University of Central Florida running back RJ Harvey.
"That call, that was the most joyful moment of my life," Harvey said of being drafted. "It's a blessing. I'm just so excited."
The fifth running back off the board, Harvey carried the ball 232 times for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024. He also added 20 catches for 267 yards and three scores.
A year earlier, Harvey carried the ball 226 times for 1,416 yards and 16 scores.
Harvey earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in 2024 and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2023.
The 5-foot-8, 205-pound player recorded an impressive 54 carries of at least 10 yards in 2024, and only three FBS running backs had more rushing yards than Harvey over the past two seasons. An FBS-best 23.3 percent of his carries in 2024 went for at least 10 yards, and 35.1 percent of his carries resulted in a first down or touchdown.
"I feel like I can do it all," Harvey said. "I can catch the ball out of the backfield, I can run any scheme — and I'm ready to just showcase all my skills."
The second-leading rusher in UCF history, Harvey posted at least 100 yards in 16 of his final 20 games. His 48 total touchdowns are also the most in school history.
The Broncos made the selection after a pair of trades to move down in the second round. First, the team traded back from the 51st-overall pick in a deal with the Panthers. Denver received picks No. 57, No. 74, No. 111 and No. 230 in exchange for picks No. 51, No. 85, No. 122, and No. 208. In exchange for sliding down six spots, Denver improved its positioning by 11 spots in both the third and fourth rounds. The Broncos then traded down from No. 57 to No. 60 and flipped No. 230 for No. 130.
Harvey joins Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson at the running back position on the Broncos' roster.
"It means everything," said Harvey of playing for Head Coach Sean Payton. "He has a great reputation of having great running backs. I'm just excited to get into his system and just do whatever I can to help my team win and move the ball down the field and score touchdowns."
He is Denver's second selection of the 2025 NFL Draft, as the Broncos selected cornerback Jahdae Barron with the 20th-overall pick.
