Rookie Spotlight: R.J. Harvey, RB Central Florida

Height: 5-8
Weight: 205
Hands: 9”
Arm: 29”
40 yard dash: 4.40
2025 Age: 24
NFL Comparison: Devonta Freeman, Kenneth Gainwell
Other RW Staff Comps: JK Dobbins, Tre Mason
Breakout Age: 22.55

Pros

– Reactive runner
– Can churn out tough yards but also break long runs
– Good vision between the tackles
– Accelerates quickly
– Keeps legs churning – MASSIVE quads
– Excellent contact balance
– Soft hands
– Sharp lateral movement
– Shed-ability through hips
– RosterWatch All-Senior Bowl team 2025

Cons

– Not an asset as a pass blocker
– Old for a running back with a late breakout age
– Bounces outside too soon
– Ball security issues

Fantasy Outlook:
A pinball of a runner, ever careening from defender to defender up the field towards paydirt, Harvey is an exciting player to watch do his thing. With good vision at the first level, Harvey reacts quickly to impediments, cutting and changing direction with ease and without losing momentum. He tends to bounce it outside when there’s still yardage to be taken between the tackles, but with smooth acceleration like he has, it’s no wonder why Harvey prefers to take the high road. Once he’s off to the races, Harvey is a force to be reckoned with, as he’s got thick thighs and a low center of gravity. He’s hard to bring down with indirect contact, and unless you wrap him up, he’ll bounce and churn his legs to safety.

Most of Harvey’s passing game experience consists of dump-offs from broken plays, but he’s got decent hands and is quick to turn upfield and scoot. He needs work as a pass-protector though. Harvey has been ineffectual in that department to this point, though I’m not sure he’s ever been required to cultivate a strong blocking game. He’s going to have to learn it to stay on the field in passing situations, and the lack thereof will keep teams from considering him as a three down back. Harvey is also undersized, though he’s stout enough to withstand a licking. Old for a rookie, he’ll be 24 this season, Harvey has a lot of wear, but fortunately not much tear, and that bodes well for his chances of staying healthy at the next level. Overall, his ceiling is high, but Harvey profiles as a complimentary back or at best the dynamic other half of a 1-2 punch. We’ve seen smaller backs like Bucky Irving thrive in that role, but most runners we’ve seen of his ilk end up taking a backseat to more well-rounded backs.