The Indianapolis Colts are hoping to turn the corner in 2024 and make it to the playoffs. Their offense wasn't bad in 2023 despite losing their starting quarterback and the hope is that their offense can continue to wheel and deal in 2024. For this to be true, the run game needs to shine.
Trevor Sikkema of PFF thinks the Colts rushing attack will do just that. Sikkema ranked the running back units for the 2024 season and had the Colts seventh on his list. The only six teams ahead of them are the 49ers, Dolphins, Lions, Ravens, Falcons, and Packers.
"Taylor led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2021, just his second season in the league. He has yet to play a full season since, first due to injuries in 2022 and then a contract standoff in 2023.Trevor Sikkema
Now signed and healthy, Taylor is poised for a 2024 season more reminiscent of his 2021 year than anything in between. Though the Colts are light on depth after him, with Trey Sermon and Evan Hull next in line, Taylor’s potential is enough to make this a top-10 group."
Jonathan Taylor is entering his fifth year with the Colts and is coming off a season where he rushed for 741 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. Injuries have been a problem for Taylor over the last two years but when healthy, he's one of the best running backs in the game.
As Sikkema alluded to, the depth behind Taylor leaves little to be desired but that's how good of a runner Taylor is. This unit is dangerous with the Wisconsin product carrying the rock.
Colts land in 7 spot on PFF RB rankings
Sikkema mentioned Trey Sermon and Evan Hull as the two running backs sitting behind Taylor on the depth chart. Sermon has been in the league since 2021 and rushed for 160 yards in 14 games with Indy last year. Hull was a fifth-round pick out of Northwestern last year and didn't amass any rushing yards. He had one reception for six yards as a rookie.
If Taylor were to go down at any point during the season, the Colts running game looks a lot different but he's proven that he's a special player. That's ultimately why Indianapolis' running back unit is ranked as highly as it is and while Taylor is a dangerous weapon, the Colts could be in trouble if he misses time in 2024.