According to ESPN’s lead league insider Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s lead league insider Ian Rapoport, the Denver Broncos are among the teams that have “pondered, or are expected to consider the possibility” of trading for Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor.
The wording of this report is a little weird, but still, it lists the
Broncos, along with the Packers and Seahawks, among the teams that are expected to have interest in star running back Jonathan Taylor. The Colts currently sit at 2-4, just fired their General Manager, and lack draft capital after trading for cornerback Sauce Gardner last season. So, if their struggles continue, which it appears they will, they could have a bit of a fire sale prior to the upcoming trade deadline.
As for the Broncos’ interest in Taylor, it makes a lot of sense. The re-signing of veteran running back JK Dobbins has been a mistake. He looks nothing like the back who carried this offense in the early portions of the 2025 season and has struggled to get anything going this season. He is averaging just 3.3 yards per carry and is coming off a game where he averaged an unacceptable 2.4 yards per carry vs. the Seahawks (If you take away his one big run, he averaged 1.6 yards per carry on 15 carries).
With Dobbins struggling to get anything going, the Broncos’ run game is among the worst in the league, and the Broncos’ offense has been struggling as well. Adding a talented back like Taylor would instantly give a boost to this Denver Broncos run game and offense, as well as make things a little bit easier for the struggling Bo Nix. Teams know the Broncos cannot run the ball and have been dropping more players in coverage, which has added to the struggles of Nix and the Broncos’ passing game.
The team will be getting back rookie Jonah Coleman, who is coming off the injured reserve for today’s game vs. the Cardinals. I would anticipate the rookie to get more and more carries in the coming weeks, and how he plays could determine the Broncos’ level of interest in Taylor, but that remains to be seen.
As for the cost, it is expected to be high. I am not sure if it will cost a first-round pick, but I am sure that is what the Colts are hoping to get in return for Taylor. You’re looking at a 1st-round pick or something like a 2nd-round pick + maybe a 4th or so. That is just me spitballing, but that is what I would anticipate based on the reporting of Taylor’s potential availability.
Would I make this move? Yes. As the saying goes, “F Them picks”. The Broncos are in a Super Bowl window, and a window that doesn’t stay open for long. This team will not win a Super Bowl or advance far in the postseason with their current run game. So, if their true goals are “Super Bowl or bust”, you bite the bullet and make this trade, or something similar, before the deadline. If Jonah Coleman looks like the real deal, maybe you hold off, but I would still address the running back room since Dobbins’ struggles do not look like something that will get better as the season progresses.
