The Denver Broncos traded back twice in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft and still found a running back, though much like their first-round pick, it was a player that wasn't really on anyone's radar.
The Broncos chose Central Florida running back R.J. Harvey with the No. 60 overall pick in the draft. Originally slotted at No. 51, the Broncos traded back six spots in a swap with the Carolina Panthers. They then agreed to another deal with the Detroit Lions. In that deal, the Broncos acquired an extra fourth-round pick.
Harvey is small in stature at just 5-foot-8 but he is a patient and shifty runner, making him one of the more elusive players in this class. In 41 games at UCF, Harvey rushed for 3,792 yards and 43 touchdowns. He scored 22 of those touchdowns last season.
He's adept in the passing game and if you were watching the NFL Network coverage of the draft, Daniel Jeremiah immediately mentioned Darren Sproles when discussing the pick.
Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson, both from Ohio State, were taken in the second round before the Broncos had a chance to pick. But Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and Tennessee's Dylan Sampson were still available. In the end, George Paton and Sean Payton felt that adding the talents of Harvey to their committee was the best move to make.
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The Broncos will next pick at No. 74 after moving up 10 slots in the third round in the first trade with the Panthers.
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