Jonathan Taylor has done everything for the Indianapolis Colts this season except for running for 100 yards in a game. It's the strangest thing, really, that Taylor hasn't yet surpassed 100 yards on the ground once this season, yet he's been the Colts' go-to offensive weapon, and he's delivered.
In the Colts’ Week 7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Taylor once again did what he could to help his offense, rushing for 95 yards and one touchdown, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Taylor also had his longest run of the season against the Vikings (38 yards).
The Colts still lost, but one thing is for sure: Taylor is still a superstar running back in the NFL, and a handful of teams should be calling the Colts this week with trade offers—his stock just rose higher.
Indianapolis Colts' RB Jonathan Taylor is giving other NFL teams every reason to trade for him
Among the names on the Colts rumoured to be included in deadline trades were Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. Both players are now gone—Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks, and Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. This leaves Taylor sitting at the top of the list. He was the Colts' best trade asset before Tuesday's moves, and he remains in that spot for a few reasons.
Taylor is not on an expiring deal, which could be attractive to other teams. He signed a two-year extension in August and is under team control through the 2028 season. Additionally, his market value will be high, as the Colts would almost certainly get a second-round pick for him, among other things.
Furthermore, after losing significant draft capital in the trade for Sauce Gardner, the Colts could retrieve significant capital by trading away Taylor. It won't match what they lost for Gardner, but it will still be valuable.
The best part for the Colts in trading Taylor is that they won't have any problems trading him. There's no doubt the Colts have already taken phone calls, and according to NFL insider Adam Schefter, several teams are interested.
Taylor is coming off one of his best games of the season against the Vikings; 5.3 yards per carry is his best single-game performance so far. A strong argument can be made that if Daniel Jones and the Colts' passing attack were significantly better this season, coupled with Taylor's running success, the Colts might not be where they are now.
In any case, the Colts are looking more like a fire-sale team today than at any other point over the last two weeks, and this brutal loss to the Vikings got them there. Where the Colts go from here remains to be seen.
Taylor, on the other hand, where he goes from here is likely a playoff or Super Bowl contender in need of a running back.
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