If you’ve watched the Denver Broncos lately, you know the vibe is different. The offense isn't the slog it used to be. But if you look closely at the Denver Broncos running back room, there’s a weird tension between "we’ve found our guy" and "we’re one injury away from disaster."
Seriously.
Sean Payton has always been a guy who treats running backs like chess pieces rather than workhorses. Think back to his New Orleans days with Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas, or Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram. He doesn't want one guy getting 30 carries. He wants a "stable." And right now, that stable is basically a high-speed rookie and a bunch of question marks.
The RJ Harvey Era has arrived (Sorta)
RJ Harvey is the name everyone is screaming about in the Mile High City. The kid from UCF was a second-round pick in 2025, and honestly, he’s been a lightning bolt. He finished his rookie regular season with 12 total touchdowns. That’s elite production for a rookie.
But here’s the thing people miss.
Harvey is small. Well, small for a "bell-cow" back. He finished the 2025 regular season with 540 rushing yards on 146 carries. If you do the math, that’s about 3.7 yards per carry. That’s... not great. It's actually kind of concerning. He’s a home-run hitter, but he’s not currently the guy who’s going to move the chains on 3rd & 2 when the linebacker is filling the gap.
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When the Broncos drafted him, the hope was he'd be the lightning to a veteran's thunder. That veteran was supposed to be J.K. Dobbins.
The J.K. Dobbins Gamble
The Broncos signed Dobbins in June 2025. It was a classic low-risk, high-reward move. And for 10 weeks, it looked like a stroke of genius. Dobbins was arguably the best back in the league during that stretch, racking up 772 yards and looking like his old self before a foot injury ended his regular season.
Now we’re in January 2026. The Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC (14-3 record, which is wild to even say out loud), and everyone is holding their breath to see if Dobbins can return for the AFC Championship Game.
If he doesn't? The Denver Broncos running back depth looks thin. Fast.
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- Jaleel McLaughlin: He’s still here, still fast, still 187 pounds. He had that huge 36-yard burst against Arizona in the preseason and a clutch TD against the Chiefs. But he's a free agent soon.
- Tyler Badie: A solid contributor who actually out-snapped Audric Estimé (who the Broncos eventually cut) late in 2024. But like McLaughlin, he’s more of a niche player.
- The Empty Space: Without Dobbins, there is no "bruiser" on this roster.
What happened to Javonte Williams?
This is the question that still bugs a lot of fans. Remember when Javonte was the future? The "Angry Runner" of the Year?
It’s crazy how fast the NFL moves. Javonte’s play flatlined in 2024. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry and just didn't look like he had that same "pop" after the knee injury. Denver let him walk, and he signed a one-year, $3 million "prove-it" deal with the Dallas Cowboys for the 2025 season.
He didn't just prove it—he crushed it.
Williams ran for 1,201 yards and 11 TDs in Dallas. He’s about to hit free agency again in 2026 and get a massive bag. It’s one of those "the one that got away" stories, but realistically, he probably needed that change of scenery. Sean Payton’s system requires backs to be extremely decisive and elite in the passing game. Javonte was a grinder; Harvey is a sprayer.
The Audric Estimé Disappearance
We have to talk about the 2024 fifth-rounder. Fans loved him. He was supposed to be the goal-line hammer. Instead, he got benched before the 2024 playoffs, sat behind Tyler Badie, and was eventually waived in August 2025.
He’s now with the New Orleans Saints, actually getting meaningful carries.
It highlights a ruthless streak in this front office. If you don't fit the specific vision Payton has for the Denver Broncos running back rotation, you’re gone. Period. They don't care about draft capital or fan favorites.
Why the 2026 Offseason is terrifying (and exciting)
The Broncos have a Super Bowl window wide open with Bo Nix playing the way he is. But the backfield is a house of cards.
Dobbins, McLaughlin, and Badie are all staring at free agency. If they all walk, RJ Harvey is literally the only man left standing. That’s why the rumors about Travis Etienne are starting to heat up.
Etienne is coming off a massive year in Jacksonville, but they might not be able to keep him. Imagine a backfield with Etienne and Harvey. It would be the fastest duo in NFL history. But it would also be expensive.
Actionable Insights for Broncos Fans
If you're tracking this team heading into the 2026 playoffs and the subsequent offseason, keep your eyes on these three things:
- Success Rate vs. Highlights: Stop looking at RJ Harvey's 50-yard runs. Look at his 2-yard runs. If his "Success Rate" (gaining the necessary yardage to keep the chains moving) doesn't improve from its current 39.6%, Payton will bring in a veteran to take 15 carries a game away from him.
- The Dobbins Health Report: The Broncos' Super Bowl hopes legitimately hinge on J.K. Dobbins' foot. Without him, the rushing EPA (Expected Points Added) drops significantly.
- Free Agency Targets: Watch names like Travis Etienne or even a reunion with a veteran like Samaje Perine if they want cheap, reliable depth. The Broncos need a "heavy" back to complement Harvey’s "light" speed.
The Denver Broncos running back room is a work in progress. It's explosive, it's young, and it's also incredibly fragile. For a team with a 14-3 record, it’s the one spot that could either win them a ring or cost them a trip to the big game.