Broncos' RJ Harvey Sets New Standard in Guaranteed Money for Late Second-Round Picks

Jul 18, 2025 12:56 PM EDT

The Denver Broncos and second-round pick RJ Harvey agreed to terms on his four-year rookie contract on Thursday. Harvey will make $7.36 million, which includes a $1,992,488 million signing bonus.

The news comes as great news for Broncos’ fans as the threat of the exciting rookie holding out of training camp is now gone. Harvey was part of a large group of second-round picks from the 2025 NFL Draft who had yet to sign their rookie deals due to a disagreement on guaranteed money.

The top two picks of the second round, Cleveland Browns’ Carson Schwesinger and Houston Texans’ Jayden Higgins, signed fully guaranteed rookie contracts, which was the first time a second-round pick had done so. The question was how far the trend would go.

Harvey was the 28th pick in the second round, much further behind Schwesinger and Higgins. However, Los Angeles Chargers’ rookie Tre Harris was the 23rd pick and turned heads by sitting out the start of the team’s training camp.

In the end, Harvey did not get a fully guaranteed contract. However, he did get the first two years and nearly half of his third year guaranteed. Harvey will get 47.7 percent of his contract guaranteed in the third year of his rookie deal, which is unprecedented.

Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (37) during rookie minicamp at Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit. — Source: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Schwesinger and Higgins set the new standard for the top picks in the second round with their fully guaranteed contracts, but Harvey likely just set the new standard for the 60th overall pick in the draft. With his nearly two and a half years of guaranteed money, that will likely be the new starting point for negotiations going forward for players drafted in Harvey’s position.

With his contract signed and training camp beginning next week, now Harvey can fully focus on getting ready for his 2025 rookie season, as he competes alongside J.K. Dobbins in the Broncos’ backfield.

It’s also worth mentioning Broncos’ first-round pick Jahdae Barron signed his rookie contract on Tuesday. Now, the Broncos head into training camp with their top two picks in this year’s draft signed and ready to go.