RB RJ Harvey, DEN (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

I didn't see a thread for him, so here it goes.

5'9" 208lbs for UCF. Had 1500 yards and 22 TDs. He ran 4.4 40 at the combine, which is surprising. Can he catch? Yeah, but not really a strong trait. Will he be a guy who gets what there but not much else? His pass protection is horrible, so will he even be in there on 3rd down? From a PPR perspective he doesn't seem to offer much upside. Maybe a solid RB for what he does, but may have limited upside. He does run a great pad level and has good vision and elusiveness. Is he good at most things, but not great at any of them? Plus he is already 24 years old. Probably goes in the 5th or 6th round of the NFL draft. I would be comfortable taking him somewhere in the 3rd round of rookie drafts.

 

[travdogg]

I'm WAY higher on him than 5th or 6th round. Back-to-back season over 1600 yards at well over 6 yards per carry, which is a pretty nice rebound after a torn ACL. He's a very good pass catcher in my opinion. I fully expect him to play 3rd downs. Pass pro is poor, and the age thing isn't ideal, but hardly a dealbreaker. He converted from QB, so despite his age he could still very much be on the upswing, especially in pass pro.

He's a sneaky powerful slasher for his size with receiving skills and more burst than expected. I like him as a 3rd rounder in the NFL draft. He's a way better prospect than someone like Ollie Gordon. Frankly, I like him more than Devin Neal.

I think he'd be an interesting fit in Minnesota behind Aaron Jones at #97.

 

[Faust]

Kent Lee Platte
RJ Harvey is a RB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored an unofficial 9.07 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 179 out of 1909 RB from 1987 to 2025.

Splits projected, times unofficial.

ras.football/ras-informatio…

https://x.com/mathbomb/status/1895901890044707075?s=61

 

[Faust]

RJ Harvey Draft and Combine Prospect Profile (NFL.com)

 

[Faust]

Josh Norris
there is so much to love about UCF RB RJ Harvey's game

~ Phone booth creation vs unblocked DL/LB
~ Tempo behind pulling OL to maximize blocking
~ Juice and finish when given the second level

https://x.com/joshnorris/status/1900607171085152544?s=61

 

[Faust]

Jacob Gibbs
Highest career rushing EPA per snap from the 2025 RB class = RJ Harvey

Harvey was one of four RBs to avoid a tackle on at least 30% of rush attempts in each of his seasons as a starter:

Ashton Jeanty
Cam Skattebo
Bhayshul Tuten
RJ Harvey

Super fun to watch Harvey tote the rock

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900946333629882810?s=61

RJ Harvey's film is dope.

Vision, pacing, evasion, balance, strength, breakaway speed, receiving contributions -- he brings a lot.

Also important to realize that he is two years older than Bucky Irving.

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900950698809839812?s=61

RJ Harvey = explosive play waiting to happen

Will be super excited if he is drafted somewhere with an opportunity to play in Year 1. He's like a Tyjae Spears/Bucky Irving hybrid. Very fun!

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900954750801101094?s=61

 

[Faust]

Ray G
Every RJ Harvey breakaway run (15+yards) from 2024 (2nd NCAA behind Ashton Jeanty) #NFLDraft2025

https://x.com/raygque/status/1903106078889418956?s=61

Derek Brown
(clears throat)

HARVEY IS A TOP 5 RB IN THIS CLASS

https://x.com/dbro_ffb/status/1903115223248126330?s=61

 

[Faust]

Josh Norris
10 minutes on UCF RB RJ Harvey ️

He'll likely go on Day 3 due to being 24 yrs old

But so did Tyrone Tracy, Bucky Irving and Kyren Williams. I was drawn to all three of those players prior to the draft - and I am equally drawn to RJ Harvey

He's fun!

youtu.be/bAr6ur7kb2g

https://x.com/joshnorris/status/1902875191921012758?s=61

 

[BigTex]

Jacob Gibbs
Highest career rushing EPA per snap from the 2025 RB class = RJ Harvey

Harvey was one of four RBs to avoid a tackle on at least 30% of rush attempts in each of his seasons as a starter:

Ashton Jeanty
Cam Skattebo
Bhayshul Tuten
RJ Harvey

Super fun to watch Harvey tote the rock

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900946333629882810?s=61

RJ Harvey's film is dope.

Vision, pacing, evasion, balance, strength, breakaway speed, receiving contributions -- he brings a lot.

Also important to realize that he is two years older than Bucky Irving.

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900950698809839812?s=61

RJ Harvey = explosive play waiting to happen

Will be super excited if he is drafted somewhere with an opportunity to play in Year 1. He's like a Tyjae Spears/Bucky Irving hybrid. Very fun!

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900954750801101094?s=61

No way is he close to being anything like Bucky.

Tex

 

[eighsse2]

Jacob Gibbs
Highest career rushing EPA per snap from the 2025 RB class = RJ Harvey

Harvey was one of four RBs to avoid a tackle on at least 30% of rush attempts in each of his seasons as a starter:

Ashton Jeanty
Cam Skattebo
Bhayshul Tuten
RJ Harvey

Super fun to watch Harvey tote the rock

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900946333629882810?s=61

RJ Harvey's film is dope.

Vision, pacing, evasion, balance, strength, breakaway speed, receiving contributions -- he brings a lot.

Also important to realize that he is two years older than Bucky Irving.

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900950698809839812?s=61

RJ Harvey = explosive play waiting to happen

Will be super excited if he is drafted somewhere with an opportunity to play in Year 1. He's like a Tyjae Spears/Bucky Irving hybrid. Very fun!

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900954750801101094?s=61

No way is he close to being anything like Bucky.

Tex

Is this take based on the "what we know now" Bucky, or college Bucky?

 

[BigTex]

Jacob Gibbs
Highest career rushing EPA per snap from the 2025 RB class = RJ Harvey

Harvey was one of four RBs to avoid a tackle on at least 30% of rush attempts in each of his seasons as a starter:

Ashton Jeanty
Cam Skattebo
Bhayshul Tuten
RJ Harvey

Super fun to watch Harvey tote the rock

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900946333629882810?s=61

RJ Harvey's film is dope.

Vision, pacing, evasion, balance, strength, breakaway speed, receiving contributions -- he brings a lot.

Also important to realize that he is two years older than Bucky Irving.

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900950698809839812?s=61

RJ Harvey = explosive play waiting to happen

Will be super excited if he is drafted somewhere with an opportunity to play in Year 1. He's like a Tyjae Spears/Bucky Irving hybrid. Very fun!

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900954750801101094?s=61

No way is he close to being anything like Bucky.

Tex

Is this take based on the "what we know now" Bucky, or college Bucky?

College….some of us knew then and they are not close to being the same…not even close.

Tex

 

[pinkstapler]

Jacob Gibbs
Highest career rushing EPA per snap from the 2025 RB class = RJ Harvey

Harvey was one of four RBs to avoid a tackle on at least 30% of rush attempts in each of his seasons as a starter:

Ashton Jeanty
Cam Skattebo
Bhayshul Tuten
RJ Harvey

Super fun to watch Harvey tote the rock

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900946333629882810?s=61

RJ Harvey's film is dope.

Vision, pacing, evasion, balance, strength, breakaway speed, receiving contributions -- he brings a lot.

Also important to realize that he is two years older than Bucky Irving.

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900950698809839812?s=61

RJ Harvey = explosive play waiting to happen

Will be super excited if he is drafted somewhere with an opportunity to play in Year 1. He's like a Tyjae Spears/Bucky Irving hybrid. Very fun!

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900954750801101094?s=61

No way is he close to being anything like Bucky.

Tex

Is this take based on the "what we know now" Bucky, or college Bucky?

I think he is very much like Bucky from the assessment perspective. While there is certainly a small contingent taking their well-deserved victory laps on being "right" on Bucky; the majority saw a smaller back who could run between the tackles better than you'd think for his size, but otherwise showed very little to get excited about with regards to speed, wiggle, or explosion. Then when Bucky participated in the combine, his measurables there basically validated all that was shown (or better yet NOT shown) on tape. And then he went on to be a day 3 draft pick, very end of the fourth round. Not bad draft stock, but typically you want your fantasy RBs going day 2 as there's a statistical drop off in hit rates going later than that.

So far RJ Harvey checks the first two boxes. Just ok film. Meh combine numbers. And he's projecting for similar draft capital. They comp similarly in build, and if anything Harvey actually tested better than Bucky. If I remember Bucky's vert was embarrassingly low. Nonetheless Harvey, like Bucky, (and kind of like a lot of guys every year in fantasy rookie classes) has his group of truthers who are much higher on him than consensus.

To Tex's credit; I would agree with the prediction Harvey doesn't turn out like Bucky; just likely disagree on why. I think Bucky was a long shot outlier who's film and analytical profile would not have predicted his outcome. But his NFL film shows he definitely made a skill/talent jump and is performing even better than he ever did in college and doing it against much stiffer competition. The likelihood that Harvey also does that is just low. Also, part of Bucky's success is 100% the situation he landed in. He was in a run friendly offense with a great passing game and good line to create a friendly place for RBs. His usage was also wild. I believe he was second only to Saquon Barkly in opportunities the second half of last season. A lot of things need to break Harvey's way for him to wind up following in Bucky's footsteps here.

 

[rockaction]

Harvey and Bucky is not a good comparison simply because Harvey tested really well. Anyone or any article saying something to the contrary is incorrect. He ran a 4.40 forty at 205 lbs., which is 89th percentile for the forty and a speed score that is 109.4, or 91st percentile for that measure. His jumps give him a burst score in the 89th percentile. That’s all excellent. The only ding on him is his bench press was 16 reps for 21st percentile, by far his worst testing number.

Bucky Irving’s numbers were terrible. Not Kyren Williams bad, but bad nonetheless. A 4.55 at 192 lbs. for a speed score of 90, which puts him in the 26th percentile. He has a burst score stemming from his tests measuring his jumping ability that is in the woefully bad 7th percentile. I’m still wondering about how Bucky will hold up in the NFL, frankly. But that’s me. His athleticism measure by Player Profiler puts him #6,351 out of 6,548 fantasy-relevant players for all positions and for all of time (since the Combine started measuring and compiling these stats and as far back as they go in the Player Profiler historical database). Those are awful numbers, and I’m shaking my head about how Irving is getting by. It’s possible to do so, but it’s so unlikely.

So Harvey is nothing like Irving, and I won’t be shocked if Irving falls back to earth next year. He’s stupidly overvalued in dynasty right now. Like criminally. Him for Breece on KTC? That’s ludicrous.

Anyway, enough about Bucky. Harvey is 5’8” and 205. He probably won’t be an every down back, but if you play PPR, he might sneak into your lineup twice or four times and be useful if you are desperate. I’m pulling for him. He explodes to the line with his runs and looks good out there with his serious first burst.

eta* Oh, one major drawback. He's notoriously bad at pass protection according to the scouting reports I read. Who knows how much that is one person saying it and then that observation keeps getting repeated, but it was a constant complaint. If he can't pass pro, forget about him in the pros. He'll never see the field. He's also old, so developing that pass protection at the pro level might be a huge issue. He's 24 with a birthdate of Feb. 4, 2001. If you're wondering (and why wouldn't you wonder) Bucky Irving is a year and six months younger than Harvey, who hasn't even set foot in a professional stadium for a professional team yet.

 

[Faust]

Why Harvey emerges as Simms’ newest 'man crush'

 

[BigTex]

Jacob Gibbs
Highest career rushing EPA per snap from the 2025 RB class = RJ Harvey

Harvey was one of four RBs to avoid a tackle on at least 30% of rush attempts in each of his seasons as a starter:

Ashton Jeanty
Cam Skattebo
Bhayshul Tuten
RJ Harvey

Super fun to watch Harvey tote the rock

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900946333629882810?s=61

RJ Harvey's film is dope.

Vision, pacing, evasion, balance, strength, breakaway speed, receiving contributions -- he brings a lot.

Also important to realize that he is two years older than Bucky Irving.

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900950698809839812?s=61

RJ Harvey = explosive play waiting to happen

Will be super excited if he is drafted somewhere with an opportunity to play in Year 1. He's like a Tyjae Spears/Bucky Irving hybrid. Very fun!

https://x.com/jagibbs_23/status/1900954750801101094?s=61

No way is he close to being anything like Bucky.

Tex

Is this take based on the "what we know now" Bucky, or college Bucky?

I think he is very much like Bucky from the assessment perspective. While there is certainly a small contingent taking their well-deserved victory laps on being "right" on Bucky; the majority saw a smaller back who could run between the tackles better than you'd think for his size, but otherwise showed very little to get excited about with regards to speed, wiggle, or explosion. Then when Bucky participated in the combine, his measurables there basically validated all that was shown (or better yet NOT shown) on tape. And then he went on to be a day 3 draft pick, very end of the fourth round. Not bad draft stock, but typically you want your fantasy RBs going day 2 as there's a statistical drop off in hit rates going later than that.

So far RJ Harvey checks the first two boxes. Just ok film. Meh combine numbers. And he's projecting for similar draft capital. They comp similarly in build, and if anything Harvey actually tested better than Bucky. If I remember Bucky's vert was embarrassingly low. Nonetheless Harvey, like Bucky, (and kind of like a lot of guys every year in fantasy rookie classes) has his group of truthers who are much higher on him than consensus.

To Tex's credit; I would agree with the prediction Harvey doesn't turn out like Bucky; just likely disagree on why. I think Bucky was a long shot outlier who's film and analytical profile would not have predicted his outcome. But his NFL film shows he definitely made a skill/talent jump and is performing even better than he ever did in college and doing it against much stiffer competition. The likelihood that Harvey also does that is just low. Also, part of Bucky's success is 100% the situation he landed in. He was in a run friendly offense with a great passing game and good line to create a friendly place for RBs. His usage was also wild. I believe he was second only to Saquon Barkly in opportunities the second half of last season. A lot of things need to break Harvey's way for him to wind up following in Bucky's footsteps here.

Bucky Irving had a very interesting profile with 34 broken tackles (18%), 3.83 YAC/A, and 709 total yards after contact. He offered the best mix of broken and forced missed tackles (29), and also the best mix of rushing and receiving upside. Irving ran 236 routes and caught 56 passes for 413 yards. He broke 10 more tackles as a receiver.

I like RJ just not sure where in the draft I’d take that chance but I can’t say I knew anything about any of these players, you lose some you win some but Bucky had numbers that no other back in his class could touch. We’ll disagree on landing spots which (for running backs) I think has no value….WR, TE, QB now that might be a different story.

Bucky’s numbers were special in college reminded me of Kamara.

Tex

 

[Faust]

Matt Miller
Was hesitant to put this out there, but what the hell.

This year's Bucky Irving (Day 3 pick that becomes a starter) is RJ Harvey.

I love his game. Productive. Shifty. Decisive. Good receiver. Make you miss ability is a dream.

https://x.com/nfldraftscout/status/1907833356160557299?s=61

 

[Faust]

Jordan Schultz
UCF RJ Harvey to the #Broncos. One veteran scout tells me: “Of course Sean got him, of course. Dude can go.”

https://x.com/schultz_report/status/1915937327672623597?s=61

 

[Faust]

Next Gen Stats
RD 2 | PK 60 - Broncos: RJ Harvey RB, UCF

Harvey ran for 1,400+ yards in back-to-back seasons at UCF, earning an 86 NGS production, the 3rd-highest mark by a RB in this year's class. Broncos RBs generated the 7th-fewest rushing yards over expected in the NFL last season (-78).

https://x.com/nextgenstats/status/1915938254941262249?s=61

 

[Ben & Jerry's]

Harvey squarely in 1st round consideration in all formats.

 

[cdclopper]

Harvey squarely in 1st round consideration in all formats.

My immediate reaction was I love this dude. But apparently not enough. He was under the radar in fantasy circles to the point where I hadn't heard of him til just now. Which had me eyeing him as an early-mid 2nd.

But if he's going in the 1st that means he's going ahead of a couple of NFL draft1st rounder TEs/WRs. That's a tough one for me.