The Indianapolis Colts shouldn't actively be seeking to trade running back Jonathan Taylor, but the team also has reasons for potentially doing so. If the season begins poorly, for instance, the organization might be looking at a major overhaul. But that could also start before the season.
If Indy is listening to offers for the star back, then one team that general manager Chris Ballard should definitely take a call from is the New York Giants. New York has a decent stable of backs, but none of the players are truly capable of Taylor-type greatness. New York might need that to help ascending second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart have a chance to improve more rapidly.
Other than having a good offensive line, no position is a quarterback's best friend more than running back. Having the versatility of Dart paired with the excellence of Taylor would be akin to what the Baltimore Ravens have in quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
Indianapolis Colts trading Jonathan Taylor to the New York Giants could be a win-win for both teams
Is Dart as good as Jackson? No, at least not yet. He does have the same kind of skill set in terms of throwing the ball well and running the ball at a high level. Taylor is close to the kind of player Henry is, and he's younger than the Baltimore back.
The Giants would be better with Taylor, and Dart would be a better quarterback. For a team trying to rebuild once again, the running back is the exact kind of player they need.
But how would dealing Taylor help the Indianapolis Colts? Draft value would be needed in return, sure, but Indy wouldn't want to be left with a running back group that features DJ Giddens and rookie Seth McGowan.
Something like the following would be needed:
- Indianapolis Colts receive: 2027 second-round pick and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- New York Giants receive: Running back Jonathan Taylor
New York has Cam Skattebo, and he is currently expected to be the team's lead back. He did get injured in 2025, though, so how healthy he remains is unknown. Plus, Taylor is clearly the better player, and having Skattebo would allow both players to remain fresh during games and late in the season.
Getting a first-round choice might be unlikely in any trade scenario for Taylor. As elite as he is, the running back position has been devalued in the NFL. A second-rounder would give the Colts two next year, which helps make up for the team's lack of a first-round choice. That was given to the New York Jets last season as part of the Sauce Gardner trade.
Tracy would then be the lead back for Indianapolis, but mostly as part of a rotation. He also would be a fantastic fit in head coach Shane Steichen's scheme, as Tracy can churn out yards on the ground, of course, but he's a very good receiver out of the backfield.
Jonathan Taylor is already in a position to leave next offseason. He is set for free agency, and the Colts seem unlikely to sign him to a long-term extension. If he is dealt, which is unlikely, at least the team would add value before possibly losing Taylor next year and getting nothing, and could do so just ahead of the beginning of the 2026 season.
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