The Broncos and J.K. Dobbins are getting to know each other.

The veteran running back arrived in Denver on Wednesday night and had dinner with club officials, then was set to be in the building Thursday as the team wrapped up OTAs, head coach Sean Payton confirmed.

“We’ll have a chance to visit with him and then we’ll see where it goes,” Payton said.

Dobbins, 26, is a free agent after spending the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers. He got off to a terrific start there, rushing for 266 yards and two touchdowns over the first two weeks of the season. He finished with 905 total rushing yards and nine touchdowns, added 32 catches and is considered a reliable pass-blocker. Dobbins didn’t carry the same level of explosion through the season — he averaged 3.8 yards after the opening two weeks — and missed four games late in the year due to an injury, but he’s considered one of a couple of quality veteran backs still on the market. Among the others is former Cleveland back Nick Chubb.

Payton on Thursday reiterated he likes the Broncos’ current running back room, which features second-round rookie RJ Harvey, second-year men Audric Estime and Blake Watson, Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie.

“Just another good football player that we’ve seen first-hand and I’ve seen for a while. Just the importance of that position group, we really like the group right now that we’re working with. It’s just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player to help us win.”

Watson did not practice in Thursday’s OTA practice, which was open to reporters. He did work on the side field.

Hey D.J.: Outside of the Broncos coaching staff and front office, there is perhaps no more foremost expert on Denver’s spring free-agent haul than defensive lineman D.J. Jones.

After all, Jones played with tight end Evan Engram in college at South Carolina and then with safety Talanoa Hufanga and inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw in San Francisco earlier in his career.

“I’m glad they’re here,” Jones said. “Y’all going to see how special they are. Ya’ll going to see why they brought them here.”

On this particular June day, Hufanga made his presence felt, intercepting a pass on a Bo Nix overthrow during a team period late in practice.

“They’re game-changers. Just go back and watch the film,” Jones said. “Don’t even watch the highlights. Just watch them play after play and you’ll see. (Hufanga) had a pick today. They’re special. Both of them.”

Jones, of course, was a key part of Denver’s offseason, too. In fact, the veteran defensive tackle got the most guaranteed money of any of the Broncos’ additions and retentions this spring when he signed a three-year, $39 million deal on the eve of free agency.

“It was everything,” Jones said. “I wanted to be back here and we made it happen. Quick.”

Sav’Vion Jones’ strong early impression: D.J. Jones had lofty praise for third-round rookie defensive lineman Sai’Vion Jones.

The veteran’s worked for a couple of weeks now alongside the 6-foot-5, 285-pound newcomer. Though he cautioned there’s a long way and a lot of learning to go, he said he thinks the future is bright.

“He’ll be special one day,” D.J. Jones said. “He’s young right now. He’s eager to learn. But he’ll be really special one day. He’s got length, he loves to learn and he played in the SEC.”

Vele day: Payton said last week he’s expecting heavy competition at receiver, but perhaps for targets rather than roster spots.

On Thursday, second-year man Devaughn Vele stood out. He caught everything thrown his way, including a tough, contested catch over Ja’Quan McMillian along the sideline.

Fellow 2024 Day 3 draft pick Troy Franklin’s also had positive moments across the two weeks of OTAs and drew praise from Payton for a second straight week.

“You haven’t been able to see all the plays, but there have been a number of explosive plays,” Payton said of Franklin. “He can run and I would say a strength of his is ball-in-hand after the catch. He can run after the catch. He’s doing well.”

Play of the day: It was a different young skill player, however, who made perhaps the standout play of Thursday’s session. That would be Harvey, the rookie running back. He got free on a scramble drill play and hauled in a pass from Nix for a long would-be touchdown.

Neighborhood GOATS: It may be just the offseason program, but that didn’t stop some franchise luminaries from swinging by Broncos practice over the course of the work week.

Earlier this week, cornerback Champ Bailey was on hand to watch practice. On Thursday, Peyton Manning watched with his son, Marshall, chatted with cornerback Pat Surtain II and then caught up with Payton after practice.

“I love when those guys come around,” Payton said. “They have an interest in the program and certainly they (make an impression). Our players know who they are. It’s good seeing them out here.”