Should the Colts Trade Jonathan Taylor?

Jonathan Taylor is among the finest operating backs within the NFL. However in immediately’s sport, that doesn’t actually imply all that a lot. A long time in the past, Taylor would have been drafted early within the first spherical after which hailed because the MVP for his dashing efficiency in 2021.

However clearly, occasions have modified. And with a brand new coach and a scheme centered on downfield photographs, ought to the Indianapolis Colts entertain the concept of buying and selling Jonathan Taylor?

Taylor’s Position in Steichen’s Scheme

New head coach Shane Steichen has by no means been recognized for his “run-first” mentality. Throughout his sole season as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, his lead again’s averaged simply over 14 dashing makes an attempt per sport. In the course of the Philadelphia Eagles Tremendous Bowl run, beginning operating again Miles Sanders averaged solely 15 makes an attempt per sport, and ran the ball simply seven occasions in opposition to the Chiefs within the Tremendous Bowl.

All through his profession, Taylor has carried the ball 17.5 occasions per sport. Throughout his dashing title season, Taylor averaged 19 makes an attempt per sport. With a scheme change, odds are that Taylor will see much less and fewer of the ball. Steichen even admitted as a lot along with his offensive motto, “ throw to attain factors and run to win video games.”

With the dashing assault seemingly on the again burner, Chris Ballard could also be prepared to half methods with the previous Wisconsin Badger in an effort to accrue draft capital and speed up this rebuild.

Taylor’s Contract

Professional Soccer Focus’s Marcus Mosher posted a tweet exhibiting the main rushers from every of the final 14 Tremendous Bowl winners. Surprisingly, the very best paid rusher was Percy Harvin, a large receiver, in 2013 incomes solely $2,500,000 million. Jonathan Taylor’s base wage for 2023 is $4.3 million, over 4 occasions greater than Isaiah Pacheco, this yr’s Tremendous Bowl main rusher.

Whereas Taylor is just on the books for $4.3 million this season, he’s formally eligible for an extension and shall be a free agent subsequent offseason. Taylor absolutely gained’t make Ezekiel Elliott cash, however he could possibly be within the Christian McCaffrey or Dalvin Cook dinner vary, incomes upwards of $15 million per yr.

Paying operating backs a big share of the wage cap is clearly not a method to win in immediately’s NFL. Spending cash elsewhere, particularly with an incoming rookie quarterback, is traditionally a a lot better algorithm for successful.

Potential Commerce Packages

While you keep in mind the place the Colts are at present, and the place they’re heading, buying and selling Jonathan Taylor to accumulate draft picks on this rebuild must be an actual consideration. By way of what Ballard may anticipate by way of attainable capital, simply check out the San Francisco 49ers’ latest commerce for McCaffrey.

The 49ers despatched a 2023 second, third, and fourth spherical choose, together with a 2024 fifth spherical choose to the Carolina Panther for the previous Stanford operating again. Contemplating McCaffrey’s harm historical past and age in comparison with that of Taylor, you’d suppose that Indianapolis may get an identical package deal for the lead horse. Groups just like the Buffalo Payments, Los Angeles Rams, and even the Chicago Bears may all be choices for Taylor’s providers.

Now, the Colts might have further draft capital to incorporate in a commerce for the primary general choose to draft whichever quarterback they like finest. However think about if Indianapolis is ready to keep put at fourth general whereas additionally having two second and third spherical picks. That’s definitely a recipe for a fast rebuild in Steichen’s first season.

Whereas it is probably not seemingly, Ballard, Steichen, and Irsay ought to exhaust all choices to quickly enhance this Colts staff. If they aren’t going to make use of Taylor to the extent he has been in years previous, then their finest plan of action could also be to maneuver on from the three-year veteran, and draft Taylor’s alternative within the mid-to-late rounds of this extremely deep operating again class.