The Indianapolis Colts have one of the best — and definitely the most underrated — running backs in pro football. This will remain Jonathan Taylor's offense as long as he's healthy and ready to roll.
However, even the best things can be improved, and the Colts' superstar ball-carrier is only human. He also needs someone with a different skill set to take the burden every now and then, and the Colts may have found the perfect guy in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Rookie Seth McGowan has been one of the standouts in training camp, and with his preseason usage, impressive skill set, and even ability to contribute on special teams, it looks like he's already passed DJ Giddens in the pecking order.
The Indianapolis Colts landed a true steal in Seth McGowan
McGowan had a rough path to the league, but the physical tools were always mesmerizing. His aggressiveness and strength granted him a second chance when some off-the-field incidents threatened to cut his collegiate career short.
Now, he has a chip on his shoulder, typical of those who know they may not get another opportunity to prove what they can do. Even special teams coordinator Brian Mason recently shared his optimism for his contributions on special teams, all but guaranteeing he'll make the roster.
But making the roster isn't the same as playing when you have such a dominant bell-cow like Taylor ahead of you. That's why McGowan is pushing not only to be on the team but also to secure that goal-line, short-yardage role.
Referees wrongfully overturned McGowan's rushing touchdown in Week 1 of the preseason vs. the New England Patriots. At least it was a learning opportunity, and he now knows not to reach for the goal line and put the ball in harm's way, even if he did score.
McGowan has worked on his hands and has looked better in pass-catching situations, even hauling in touchdown passes in practice. It's baby steps, but you always want to see improvement and steady development in first-year players.
Whatever the case, McGowan has made the most of every training camp rep to show how badly he wants it and how much help he can provide with his sturdy frame. He piled up 44 yards on 13 carries through two preseason games, but the tape and reports are much more encouraging than the numbers, so whether he played in preseason Week 3 didn't matter.
At the end of the day, a team is only as good as its weakest link, and the Colts' offense is certainly trending up. Giddens will also most likely make the 53-man roster, but unless he steps up and shows some teeth, it looks like the seventh-round pick out of Kentucky will be riding the pine for most of the season.
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