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Colts trade up to take RB Jonathan Taylor

By Ryan Stano

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a 10 yard gain during the second quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl on January 01, 2020 in Pasadena, California. The Oregon Ducks topped the Wisconsin Badgers, 28-27. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 01: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs for a 10 yard gain during the second quarter of the game against the Oregon Ducks at the Rose Bowl on January 01, 2020 in Pasadena, California. The Oregon Ducks topped the Wisconsin Badgers, 28-27. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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The Colts made a big surprise move by moving up three spots in the second round to select running back Jonathan Taylor with the 41st overall pick.

Running back wasn’t a need that a lot of people thought the Colts had. Apparently Chris Ballard thinks otherwise. Not only did he take one in the second round, but he traded up to get one. The Colts moved from 44 to 41 to take Jonathan Taylor out of Wisconsin.

Taylor is one of the most prolific running backs in Wisconsin history. He ran for over 2,000 yards the last two seasons and ran for a combined 37 touchdowns over that span. He was the focal point of the Badgers offense over his three years there.

Taylor is burly at 5’11 219, but is deceptively quick. He can hit a hole fast and hard and has the ability to take it to the house. As a receiver, he was much more involved as a senior. He caught 26 balls for 252 yards and 5 touchdowns. Even so, that’s not a strong point of his game.

A big issue with Taylor is ball security. Taylor does have the propensity to put the ball on the ground, although most of those were in his freshman year. Pass protection is by far his biggest weakness and he will need a lot of work with that. Luckily for him, backs don’t have to pass protect much in this offense.

What this means for Marlon Mack remains to be seen. Mack had an excellent season in his third year with the team. Perhaps the Colts don’t want to pay a big extension for him and see him as expendable after this season. Running backs do have lower shelf lives these days.

Next. Colts select Michael Pittman with 34th overall pick. dark

It will be interesting to see what Taylor can bring to the Colts backfield and if he and Mack can be a good two-headed monster.

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