After a lengthy standoff, the Indianapolis Colts have finally allowed superstar running back Jonathan Taylor to seek a trade. Taylor, a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, is entering the final year of his contract and is looking for a contract that better reflects his abilities. It’s anyone’s guess as to whether or not a trade will actually materialize, but these five teams make the most sense as potential destinations.
Sources: The #Colts have given star RB Jonathan Taylor permission to seek a trade, and conversations to find potential landing spots are ongoing. Several GMs and talent evaluators were informed earlier today that Taylor is available. pic.twitter.com/RSrgaszhnj
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 21, 2023
Normally, when a player like Jonathan Taylor hits the trade market, division rivals and conference contenders are usually not in the running for potential landing spots. However, the Indianapolis Colts are not going to be good in 2023, so they’re probably willing to send the running back off to the highest bidder. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the potential teams.
5 Teams That Should Trade For Jonathan Taylor
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are in the waning years of their Super Bowl window. While the team will always have a chance as long as Josh Allen is under center, the rest of the core is starting to get old. Buffalo needs to do everything they can to try and win it all in 2023, and Jonathan Taylor would be a major upgrade at running back. If the season started today, James Cook, Latavius Murray, and Damien Harris would handle running back duties. That’s not exactly the most inspiring trio, and Taylor’s hard-nosed style of running should prove even more effective in Buffalo’s frigid temperatures.
Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco played well down the stretch last year, but he’s nothing more than a servicable early-down runner. Head coach Andy Reid loves to use a true workhorse back, but he hasn’t had a player capable of handling that type of workload since Kareem Hunt. Acquiring Jonathan Taylor via trade would be a perfect way to fill this need, and it would also make the most dangerous offense in football all the more deadlier. Three years ago, the Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire over Jonathan Taylor. Now, it’s time for them to right that wrong.
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Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins spent the entire offseason as the presumed favorites for Dalvin Cook. However, now that Cook is with the New York Jets, the team could use some more reinforcements in their backfield. While the Dolphins could get by with Jeff Wilson, Raheem Mostert, and rookie Devon Achane, a Jonathan Taylor trade makes all the sense in the world for a team trying to compete in arguably the toughest division in football.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are not going to win the Super Bowl this year, but they have all the pieces for a strong rebuild. Justin Fields has his chance to prove himself as a legitimate franchise quarterback, and the team is loaded with draft picks and salary cap space. Orchestrating a Jonathan Taylor trade would secure an otherwise unremarkable backfield for the next few seasons, and the Bears have the necessary resources to afford this type of trade. Additionally, the Bears run the ball more than just about any other offense in football, and the thought of trying to stop Fields and Taylor on a read option should keep opposing defensive coordinators up at night.
Baltimore Ravens
J.K. Dobbins is practicing again, but the running back isn’t exactly thrilled with his current contract situation. The fellow 2020 second-round pick wants a new contract of his own, and the Ravens aren’t willing to pay it. With this in mind, perhaps the Ravens and Colts consider swapping their disgruntled running backs. Taylor is considerably better than Dobbins, but perhaps the Ravens are willing to pay up for top talent at the position. From the Colts standpoint, they might be willing to pay a lesser contract to a good-but-not-great running back like Dobbins, and they’d probably get an extra pick as the cherry on top of this trade.
Main Photo: Mykal McEldowney – USA Today Sports
