5 Teams That Should Trade For Colts Star Jonathan Taylor After Requesting Out of Indy

Jonathan Taylor has been one the most dynamic running backs in professional football since the 24 year old entered into the league as the 41st pick in the 2020 NFL draft. On July 29, 2023, it was reported that Taylor requested a trade out of Indianapolis, the city that drafted him, due to stalled contract negotiations.

Taylor is just one of many running backs in the NFL dealing with poor market share as teams are refusing to give big stars, such as Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, big deals in free agency. If Taylor is to have his request fulfilled, any team willing to trade for him should be willing to give him a long term deal. These are five teams that should make a move for the all-pro running back.

5. Miami Dolphins

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 08: A general view of the Miami Dolphins logo on the field prior to a game against the New York Jets at Hard Rock Stadium on January 08, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images

The Dolphins need to acquire a running back ahead of next season, and the team has not been shy about wanting to get one. With an outstanding offer to free agent running back Dalvin Cook and a denied off season trade for Saquon Barkley in the near rear view mirror, the Dolphins have the potential to get aggressive with a potential move.

Acquiring Taylor is a prime opportunity to pair quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle with an elite ground game talent. Miami is among the bottom of the league in rushing, despite a healthy and stable core of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson that averaged 99.2 yards per game on the ground last season.

4. Pittsburgh Steelers

CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 11: A Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the field during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Najee Harris did not improve between year one and year two. The former first round pick could use a breath of fresh air with light competition in the running back room and maybe a running mate to take the pressure, as well as some touches, off of his shoulders in the Pittsburgh backfield.

Taylor can be a dynamic star in a Mike Tomlin offense, which makes him the perfect candidate for a trade target. Giving sophomore quarterback Kenny Pickett a new weapon to pair with Dionate Johnson, George Pickens, and Pat Freiermuth could take this Steelers team to the next level.

3. Buffalo Bills

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 24: A detail of a Buffalo Bills helmet against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on December 24, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Buffalo acquiring Taylor would be a bounty of riches comparable to the Niners trading for running back Christian McCaffrey before last season’s trade deadline. The Bills’ running back room features many complimentary pieces, but is missing a do-it-all playmaker that can be a workhorse on the ground.

James Cook, Latavius Murray, and Damien Harris are all fine in rotation, but having an elite caliber running back to complement their game could prove to be pivotal for a Buffalo team pushing for a Super Bowl as one of the AFC’s top contenders.

The team is an elite running back away from getting over the hump that is Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Adding Taylor would be bad news for the rest of the contenders in the AFC.

2. Minnesota Vikings

EAGAN, MN – FEBRUARY 17: A Minnesota Vikings helmet is displayed before the start of a press conference to introduce Head coach Kevin O’Connell at TCO Performance Center on February 17, 2022 in Eagan, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

After losing Dalvin Cook, the Vikings’ running back room is thin. Alexander Mattison, Ty Chandler, Kene Nwangwu, and DeWayne McBride are the members of the Minnesota backfield that doesn’t exactly strike fear into the heart of opposing defensive linemen.

The Vikings’ elite aerial attack deserves a ground game just as fierce. Taylor is the back to provide the boost that the Vikings need. As an NFC team that could make a deep playoff push, having a ground game that can complement the passing attack is going to be important.

1. Chicago Bears

CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 10: during a preseason game at Soldier Field on August 10, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Broncos defeated the Bears 24-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Bears have recently made the right moves in an effort to make their offense more dynamic, including picking up wide receiver DJ Moore from the Carolina Panthers and drafting quarterback Justin Fields from Ohio State University in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

Despite the fact the team drafted running back Roschon Johnson, Bijan Robinson’s running mate from the University of Texas, in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, the Bears could use a boost on the ground.

The team’s backfield is currently highlighted by Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman. Plugging in an 1,800 yard rusher to take some of the pressure off of Fields could prove to be worthwhile for the Bears. The powerback also provides options for a more dynamic offense in Chicago, keeping defenses guessing. If there is a team that can afford to give Taylor the payday he’s seeking, it’s the Bears. Chicago still has $28M in cap space, meaning splurging for offensive talent could pay off long term.

5 Teams That Should Trade For Colts Star Jonathan Taylor After Requesting Out of Indy
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