Broncos draft for now and later- Harvey and Lohner show two paths to success
The Denver Broncos didn’t just draft for 2025. They drafted with two timelines in mind: right now, and two years from now.
R.J. Harvey, the explosive UCF running back taken in the second round, is already being penciled in as a Day 1 contributor in Sean Payton’s evolving offense.
Meanwhile, seventh-round tight end Caleb Lohner, a former college basketball standout with just 57 career football snaps, represents the kind of long-view pick that could quietly pay off down the line.
A tale of two timelines
Harvey walks into a situation built for his skillset. With Javonte Williams gone, the Broncos need a dynamic runner to shoulder the load, and Harvey’s elite college rushing grade (95.1) suggests he’s up for it.
He joins an offense that ranked first in short-yardage conversion rate and consistently created yards before contact. Those are numbers that give any rookie back a head start, especially one known for burst and vision.
"He’s got the tools, the build, and the mentality to make an immediate impact," said Payton following rookie minicamp. "We drafted him with a very clear vision of how to use him."
Harvey is not just stepping into a vacancy. He’s stepping into a scheme designed to optimize his strengths. And for a team that hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since 2020, expectations are high.
Lohner’s path is different, by design
Where Harvey is expected to contribute early, Lohner’s path is more experimental. The 6-foot-7 former basketball player caught just four passes for Utah in 2024, all for touchdowns, but his athletic metrics turned heads.
A 4.69 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical put him near the top of his positional class at the Big 12 pro day.
Sean Payton sees raw potential, not unlike what he once saw in Jimmy Graham, who made a similar leap from hoops to the NFL.
“Are we asking him to be Jimmy Graham today? Of course not,” Payton said. “But the traits are there. And he’s already showing flashes in limited work.”
The Broncos have the flexibility to be patient. Lohner joins a tight end room that added veteran Evan Engram this offseason and returns Lucas Krull. His initial value might come in red-zone packages or special teams, but the upside is obvious.
A new era of roster building
Denver’s 2025 draft class tells a broader story. It’s not just about filling gaps or finding the next breakout player. It’s about diversifying timelines.
Harvey fits a win-now mentality. Lohner is a development swing. Add in third-round receiver Pat Bryant, who could see immediate snaps, and defensive lineman Sai’Vion Jones, who brings high motor depth, and you get a draft that hedges both short-term needs and long-term bets.
It’s a smart approach for a franchise trying to stay competitive in the AFC while also planting seeds for future success.
The Broncos’ gamble and opportunity
The dual timelines could converge faster than expected. If Harvey hits and Lohner flashes in the red zone, Denver could have two of the league’s most talked-about rookies for very different reasons.
In a division where offensive firepower is critical, Harvey gives Denver a weapon today. Lohner, on the other hand, is a lottery ticket with uncommon physical traits. If he can absorb the playbook and sharpen his technique, Payton may once again turn a basketball convert into a mismatch nightmare.
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This is more than just another draft class. It’s the beginning of a Broncos rebuild with layers, one that could make noise in 2025 while quietly building for 2027.