Is RJ Harvey moving ahead of J.K. Dobbins for the Broncos?

Is RJ Harvey moving ahead of J.K. Dobbins for the Broncos?

Key points

• While J.K, the Broncos had RJ Harvey on the field for 29 of their offensive plays.
• The Broncos turned to Harvey more often, especially as a receiver out of the backfield, and he was the most productive player on offense against San Francisco.
• Watching Dobbins in action this year, it seems painfully obvious that he's just not the same player he was at this time last year.
• As for Dobbins, he could easily take a back seat to the two younger players once that happens.
• But his average of just four yards per touch isn't cutting it.

Is RJ Harvey moving ahead of J.K. Dobbins for the Broncos? Travis Wakeman Broncos Wire.

Notably, the Denver Broncos have not gotten a great effort from the running back position in the first four games of the 2026 season, and the team may shortly be taking a different approach in the offensive backfield.

Against the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday, the Broncos failed to create much on the ground, but there was one notable takeaway from the distribution of offensive snaps at the running back position. While J.K, the Broncos had RJ Harvey on the field for 29 of their offensive plays. Dobbins, the player who is supposed to be the team's RB1, saw only 21 snaps.

Dobbins carried the ball 11 times for 40 yards and caught two passes for 12 yards, meaning he touched the ball on 13 of the 21 plays he was on the field for. But his average of just four yards per touch isn't cutting it.

Meanwhile, the Broncos turned to Harvey more often, especially as a receiver out of the backfield, and he was the most productive player on offense against San Francisco. He rushed for only 25 yards on seven carries but led the team with 10 receptions for 68 yards. That translates to almost 5.5 yards per touch, much better than Dobbins.

Will RJ Harvey shortly surpass J.K. Dobbins on the depth chart?

As that is a enormous strength of Harvey's, this is a strategy that the Broncos will probable utilize going forward, particularly if an opponent is susceptible to running backs catching the ball out of the backfield.

Watching Dobbins in action this year, it seems painfully obvious that he's just not the same player he was at this time last year. He lacks a burst and he's just not finding the holes that he was able to find running behind this same offensive line last season.

Meanwhile, the Broncos are going to need much more out of their running backs the rest of this season and that is why the eventual return of Jonah Coleman will be so helpful. As for Dobbins, he could easily take a back seat to the two younger players once that happens. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! SMS Facebook Twitter Email.

Taken together, the developments around is RJ Harvey moving ahead of J.K. Dobbins for the Broncos? Point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.