The Indianapolis Colts began their fire sale when they traded longtime stalwart guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and dealt defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers on the same day.
The Colts' teardown is expected to continue after the team suffered a 42-7 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a Week 8 game where they didn't look remotely competitive.
Naturally, rumors have started swirling about the potential availability of their star running back, Jonathan Taylor. Reports indicate that the team is open to trading the 27-year-old, and he would have no shortage of suitors if made available before the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
But which suitors would provide the best landing spots for Taylor? Several contenders stand
out from the pack, and the team currently sporting the NFL's best record may ultimately be the best fit for him.
Here's a ranking of the top five fits for Taylor should the Colts trade him ahead of the 2026 NFL trade deadline on Nov. 10.
1. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are sitting at 6-1, but they are still in desperate need of an offensive identity. They are averaging just 20 points per game this season – good for sixth-fewest in the league – and have only 12 offensive touchdowns to their name.
Among Minnesota's issues this season are that the team's Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason-led running game ranks 27th in rushing EPA per play this season, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats. Jones had a nice stretch as the team's lead back, but the 31-year-old is battling a nagging knee injury, so it may be hard for him to remain productive as the Vikings enter a more difficult stretch of their schedule.
Taylor would be an instant upgrade over the solid-but-uninspiring duo of Jones and Mason thanks to his three-down abilities. He would allow Kevin O'Connell to lean on the running game as the engine that drives his offense, and having a true workhorse would allow Minnesota to marry a ground-dominant, possession-based offense with their elite, attacking-style Brian Flores defense.
If Taylor could just help shape the Vikings into an average offense, it would go a long way toward establishing them as a legitimate NFC contender.
2. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are a very close No. 2 option behind the Vikings as a top fit for Taylor's services. The emergence of rookie Jonah Coleman, who racked up 104 yards and a touchdown on 15 touches in Week 8 against the Kansas City Chiefs, gives them a bit more flexibility in trade talks than the Vikings, but there's still little doubt that adding Taylor to Denver's offense would provide the team a big boost.
As good as Coleman has looked, the remainder of Denver's running back room has endured its share of issues. J.K. Dobbins' negative-1.1 rushing yards over expected per attempt ranks third-worst among qualified running backs this season, per the NFL's Next Gen Stats, while RJ Harvey is on IR with a knee injury and is looking more like a pass-catching back than a between the tackles option.
Adding Taylor would give the Broncos certainty at the running back position and create a dynamic, one-two punch with Coleman. Taylor could play a majority of the downs with Coleman serving as a change-of-pace option and Dobbins, Harvey and Tyler Badie rounding out a running back depth chart that would be described as elite.
Having a strong, multi-faceted running game would also go a long way toward supporting Bo Nix, who has had an up-and-down season thus far in 2026. Giving him elite-level rushing support and allowing him to function as more of a game manager could ultimately be the formula the Broncos need to make a Super Bowl run this season.
3. Seattle Seahawks
To say the Seahawks' plans at running back have gone awry would be an understatement. They replaced Kenneth Walker III with first-round rookie Jadarian Price after losing the Super Bowl 60 MVP in free agency, but Price struggled with fumbles before suffering a chest injury that landed him on IR.
With Zach Charbonnet also out of action while recovering from a torn ACL, the Seahawks have relied on Emanuel Wilson to carry them. The power back has performed admirably, but he is still entering his Week 8 "Monday Night Football" contest averaging just 3.6 yards per carry.
Both Charbonnet and Price are expected back in Week 8, so perhaps if the running back rotation looks good against the Bears, it will quell concerns about the Seahawks needing to add a top-tier running back. But if not, John Schneider could look to swing a second trade with the Colts after acquiring Nelson to improve the team's interior offensive line.
Nelson is one of the NFL's best run blockers, so Seattle has all the makings of a talented rushing attack. Taylor would take that to the next level, and the Seahawks should be very interested in adding another top-tier playmaker to an offense that has thus far been carried by Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
4. New York Giants
Cam Skattebo had the best game of his professional career in Week 7 against the Houston Texans, racking up 124 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. For that reason, the Giants don't necessarily need to trade for a running back ahead of the deadline.
Even so, Skattebo was on shaky footing ahead of his breakout game. He was effectively benched the previous week after fumble issues, playing six offensive snaps and getting zero touches, so John Harbaugh might like to have another high-end option for his offense in case those issues flare up again.
Having Taylor and Skattebo together would immediately create one of the most fearsome two-man running back attacks in the league. It would also go a long way toward replenishing a Giants depth chart that has been thinned by an injury to Tyrone Tracy Jr. and the release of Najee Harris.
Add in that the Giants have a relatively clear path toward winning the NFC East and swinging a trade for a piece like Taylor, who fits the timeline of New York's window for contention since he is under contract through 2028, could prove sensible.
5. New England Patriots
I know, I know. The Patriots probably have bigger needs to target than running back ahead of the trade deadline. They could use another talented wide receiver as A.J. Brown continues to deal with injury issues, and could also stand to add depth to their edge rush, which is currently just three deep.
Still, New England could use an upgrade at the running back position. Rhamondre Stevenson has been a solid starter, but his 3.8 yards per carry average leaves a bit to be desired. Meanwhile, TreVeyon Henderson has struggled to stay on the field and hasn't often shown off the speed that was supposed to make him a dynamic threat at running back this season.
Mike Vrabel is familiar with Taylor, having coached against him often during his time with the Tennessee Titans. Vrabel could see the benefit of adding Taylor and relegating Stevenson and Henderson to situational roles for which they may be better suited.
Having elite depth at running back could help the Patriots offset their injury issues at receiver, where Brown has missed five games and Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins are both on IR.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ranking Jonathan Taylor's best fits amid trade rumors surrounding Colts RB
