There's no avoiding the fact that the Indianapolis Colts have a Jonathan Taylor decision to make between now and next offseason. Extend or trade him; those are the options. Colts fans everywhere hope for the former option, and, for the sake of the franchise, they should do everything they can to extend Taylor.
The six-year veteran running back is still running with the best of them and had the best season of his career, next to his second season in the NFL in 2021. Of course, it hasn't always been smooth sailing for Taylor and the Colts; everyone remembers the awkward, uncomfortable contract dispute in 2023. Should the Colts want to revive that? No.Â
So while the Colts figure out their next move with Taylor, turning to football, he's expected to have another spectacular season, and the Colts need that from him if they're to have a shot in the AFC South. Taylor is still electric, but where does he rank with the other top running backs in the league today? A recent ESPN rankings list will tell you.Â
ESPN ranks Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor in the top five with Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs
The NFL is ripe with elite rushers these days, proving that the position still carries considerable weight. The Seattle Seahawks are a prime example of this, as without Kenneth Walker III's playoff heroics, their Super Bowl win would never have materialized. Walker was never a top rusher in the league, but in the postseason, he played like one, and the Kansas City Chiefs just paid him like one.Â
Taylor has never played in a Super Bowl. In fact, he's only played in one playoff game; the Colts have been on a five-year playoff drought since then. Don't let the Colts' dismal streak downplay how great Taylor has been over the years, though. Without him, they could have been much worse while still missing the playoffs.Â
His talent gives the Colts hope, though it's a team game and everyone needs to perform. That said, performing on an elite level is how Taylor landed on ESPN's top NFL running backs rankings list, according to various league executives, scouts, and coaches. No surprise, Taylor ranked in the top five.Â
In order from one to five, the top five go as follows: Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons), Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions), Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers), and Taylor.
In past ESPN rankings of rushers, Taylor has ranked as high as No. 2, and last year was ranked No. 7. It's hard to argue against those in front of him, so where ESPN has slated Taylor this year seems about right.
After Taylor, who has the strongest case to actually be in the top five himself, is Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens), coming in as the sixth-best rusher. He’s followed by James Cook (Buffalo Bills), De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins), Walker (Kansas City Chiefs), and, rounding out the top 10, Breece Hall (New York Jets).
The respect for Taylor is evident, but it also underscores why the Colts have to make good on their decision to re-sign Taylor beyond next season. Where are they going to get a better back than him?
D'Andre Swift and Chase Brown are the only other notable running backs expected to hit free agency next season; neither comes close to Taylor's level. It's now (or midseason) or never for the Colts to secure Taylor.Â
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