ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos are entering the 2025 NFL season with a renewed focus on their running game, and much of that attention is centered around J.K. Dobbins and rookie RJ Harvey. Both players are competing for the lead running back role, a position that has seen significant turnover in recent years.

The Veteran: J.K. Dobbins

J.K. Dobbins, a five-year NFL veteran, is no stranger to the pressures of being a starting running back. After a career-best 905-yard season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024, Dobbins is now looking to make his mark with the Broncos. He believes his experience and the lessons learned from various coaches, including Sean Payton, have prepared him for the role.

"A lot of people think running back is just about running left, right, or through the middle," Dobbins said. "But in this offense, it's about more than that. It's about protecting the quarterback, especially on third down. That's what will get you the most snaps."

Dobbins has been taking the majority of first-team reps in training camp, and his ability to handle blitzes and protect quarterback Bo Nix has been a key focus. "If you're a running back who gets the quarterback hit, you're not getting the ball," Dobbins emphasized.

The Rookie: RJ Harvey

RJ Harvey, a second-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is quickly making a name for himself in training camp. Known for his quickness and vision, Harvey has been impressive in both the running and passing games. However, he acknowledges that the transition from college to the NFL has been challenging.

"There's a lot more detail in the NFL," Harvey said. "Third down is extremely important—moving the chains, protecting the quarterback, and getting first downs. That's what they need from me."

Harvey, who caught 61 passes in college, is also working on his route-running and pass protection. "I always felt like I had great hands," he added. "But it's about being consistent and improving in areas that need work."

The Competition

Behind Dobbins and Harvey, the Broncos have a crowded backfield. Javonte Williams, last year's leading rusher, signed with the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, leaving the door open for players like Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson to step up.

McLaughlin, who has two 400-yard rushing seasons to his name, has been working on his physicality without sacrificing speed. "I'm closer to 200 pounds now," McLaughlin said. "I'm trying to be more physical and clean up my eyes in protection."

Estime, Badie, and Watson are also fighting for roster spots. Estime had some momentum last season with two touchdowns in the final three games, while Badie had the longest run of any Broncos back (43 yards) before missing most of the season with a back injury. Watson, an undrafted rookie last year, played in just two games.

The Outlook

Sean Payton has made it clear that the running game needs to be more explosive this season. "We have to be more explosive in that area," Payton said. "We've added some players in the running back room, and we're going to be much improved."

Dobbins is confident in the group as a whole. "This group is young, talented, and they all could have an impact with the ball," he said. "We want that for each other."

As the Broncos prepare for the regular season, the competition in the running back room is heating up. Whether it's Dobbins, Harvey, or someone else, the Broncos are looking for a running back who can lead the charge and help them return to playoff contention.