When Chris Ballard selected running back DJ Giddens in the fifth round of the 2025 draft, the logic behind the move seemed obvious. The Indianapolis Colts needed a running back who could spell workhorse Jonathan Taylor and take on RB1 duties in the event of injury.
The fact that Giddens was the 15th running back chosen makes it clear that he was not exactly a can’t-miss prospect. But the Kansas State star brought some enticing skills to the NFL.
First and foremost, he had both straight-line speed and lateral quickness. Though not nearly as powerful as Taylor, there were traces of Taylor’s running style – vision, patience, and burst.
DJ Giddens has become the Indianapolis Colts’ invisible running back in his first season
The running back room behind Taylor was largely uninspiring, so it seemed that Giddens had an open road toward the backup slot. With some improvement to the other parts of his game – primarily pass protection and receiving – it seemed that playing behind Taylor for a season or two might be the perfect apprenticeship for a back like Giddens.
That may still be the case, but as the 2025 season goes on, the rookie appears to be going in the wrong direction.
Jonathan Taylor carried the ball 303 times in 2024. He was outstanding, almost as good as he had been in his record-setting 2021 season. But 303 is a big number, especially for a back with five seasons of wear and tear.
After his amazing 332-carry 2021 season, Taylor dealt with injuries that limited him in the following two seasons. Chris Ballard and Shane Steichen seemed eager to provide him with some support.
The minimal rest he got in ’24 came courtesy of Trey Sermon. He was not re-signed after the season. Instead, the Colts brought in Khalil Herbert, a once-promising back whose production had fallen off in recent seasons. They also re-signed a couple of their own young backs in Tyler Goodson and Salvon Ahmed. Finally, they brought in a few undrafted free agents – Ulysses Bentley IV and Nate Noel.
By the end of camp, Giddens appeared to have the job as Taylor’s primary backup. Ahmed suffered a season-ending ankle injury in August, and Herbert was released. Both UDFAs were also released, though Bentley was re-signed to the practice squad.
Goodson was a serviceable runner, but he earned his spot primarily as a special teams star. So Giddens was in line to take over when Taylor needed a rest.
But things have not gone well for the rookie. After playing 18 snaps in Week 1, he has not cracked double figures in snaps in any other game this year. He has been a healthy scratch in recent weeks, not suiting up since week 7 and not touching the ball since Week 5.
Ballard and Steichen appear to have decided the rookie was simply not ready to play for a team in contention for the division title. After releasing Herbert, Ballard quickly brought in veteran running back-returner Ameer Abdullah, and he has taken over the role that Giddens was expected to play. Goodson has maintained his role as well, exiling Giddens to inactive status.
This may not mean much. Giddens was not expected to be a star right away. Abdullah does not figure into the team’s long-range plans, and Goodson will most likely remain a special teamer first and foremost. On the current roster, Giddens may have to be more concerned about the UDFA Bentley usurping his role.
His primary problem is that it does not appear he will get more chances to prove himself this season. Taylor remains the durable star. Indy figures to be in a dogfight for the playoffs over the final month of the season – not a good time to test out an unproven rookie. Abdullah and Goodson will probably remain the primary backups.
But next season, especially come draft time, fans may get a sense of how Giddens is valued by the organization. The Colts have other pressing needs, but the fact is, it has been repeatedly proven in recent years that smart GMs can find productive running backs in the late rounds.
Bucky Irving and Isaiah Pacheco came on Day 3 in recent years. After Ballard chose Giddens, seven other backs were selected. Two of them – Kyle Monangai and Jacory Croskey-Merritt – have both run for more than 500 yards in their rookie year. Giddens has 66 yards on 18 carries for the season.
Shane Steichen may love DJ Giddens’ potential. He has not said anything negative about his rookie year. But he is not playing him. And that says more than any coach-speak quote. Giddens may have a bright future with the Colts. He just hasn’t been able to offer anything in support of that prognosis, and it’s not likely he will get more chances this year.