Broncos Follow Familiar Pattern With Rookie 2nd-Round Draft Pick

The Denver Broncos released their initial depth chart of the 2025 season, and while head coach Sean Payton joined his brethren in downplaying its significance, one familiar pattern quickly emerged.

Payton and the Broncos listed every rookie at the back of their respective position group.

The decision drew attention, with many noting, among other items, that rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey looked more like RB2 behind J.K. Dobbins than his RB5 listing suggests.

“Despite RJ Harvey being listed as the Broncos’ last RB on their first unofficial depth chart, it’s pretty clear he’s their No. 2 RB behind J.K. Dobbins,” DNVR Broncos’ Zac Stevens posted on X on August 6.

“Harvey is listed as a fifth-teamer,” Denver Sports’ Andrew Mason posted on X. “But Harvey took handoffs from [Bo] Nix yesterday,”

“In other words, don’t put much stock in where the rookies are listed.”

Sean Payton Stays True to Form With Broncos Depth Chart

Mason pointed to Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph talking up getting first-round pick Jahdae Barron prepared to play in Week 1, but Payton has made it clear where he stands on these situations.

Payton listed Nix as QB3 in the Broncos’ first depth chart of 2024.

“Yeah, rookies are at the back of the line,” Payton told reporters in August 2024. “I’m not ready for a depth chart, but I have to get a depth chart. So, it’s easy to push the underlined players [rookies] to the back of the line, and then make sure it’s kind of where we sit right now, and that’s really it. … I’m not trying to send messages at all.

“Just cuz it’s easy. And then, I don’t have to spend 40 minutes with [Broncos chief communications officer] Patrick [Smyth]. I can spend five.”

Harvey has done nothing but impress this offseason.

He could rise up the depth chart quickly, just as Nix did, with Harvey and Dobbins projecting as the Broncos’ top combination heading into the 2025 season. Of course, they were not the only source of intrigue on the Broncos’ initial depth chart release.

Broncos Raise Eyebrows With RB Rotation

Among the noteworthy listings on the Broncos’ initial depth chart, third-year wideout and All-Pro return specialist Marvin Mims Jr. was listed as WR2 opposite Courtland Sutton. But youngsters Troy Franklin Jr. and rookie Pat Bryant face a similar plight as Harvey.

The Broncos did raise eyebrows further down the RB portion of the depth chart.

“What’s notable about the RB depth chart is Jaleel McLaughlin is ahead of Audric Estime,” Stevens noted.

Estime was a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft, McLaughlin an undrafted free agent in 2023, and both saw carries in for the Broncos last season. With Dobbins and Harvey both providing more finesse than physicality, Estime seemed like a fine complement.

However, there have been questions about his attitude toward his workload in training camp.

Esitme had some of his best days of the offseason in the week leading up to the depth chart’s release. He remains behind several of his Broncos teammates. The Broncos’ depth chart could look very different next week, after their preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers.