According to NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts are now open to trading star running back Jonathan Taylor ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. In the report, both insiders list the Broncos among the teams that have shown some level of interest in trading for the star running back. The Colts have already traded Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the 49ers, and they do not appear done having a fire sale.
Schefter and Rapoport name the Packers, Vikings, Giants, and Seahawks, along with the Broncos, as teams that have shown at least some level of interest in trading for Taylor.
The list of teams that have expressed at least some level of interest in trading for Taylor is thought to include the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Seattle Seahawks, sources said.
As of now, the Vikings seem like the reported frontrunner for Taylor, but as we know, things can change, and circumstances can change a team’s level of desperation to acquire a player.
For the Broncos, their run game has struggled to start the season. Veteran JK Dobbins, whom the Broncos re-signed this offseason and hoped would look like the back they saw last season, has struggled to start the year. He has recently unfollowed the Broncos on social media (if you care about that) and has gotten into a back-and-forth with 9NEWS Broncos insider Mike Klis. Also, second-year running back RJ Harvey suffered a knee injury during practice this week, which isn’t considered serious per reports, but he will sit out Sunday’s big game vs. the Chiefs.
Last week, the rookie running back was activated off the injured reserve and instantly took over the Broncos backfield. He led the Broncos’ backs in snaps, touches, and yards and now will get the start vs. the Chiefs on Sunday. If Coleman were to have a big game against the Broncos’ divisional rivals, it would pour some cold water on these trade talks, but any struggles or injuries could intensify these talks.
Right now, the return for Taylor appears to be a 2nd-round pick + more, according to reports. This report also seems to indicate that the Colts, who have been listening to offers for Taylor, have not been satisfied with the offers and are telling teams they need to send in their best offers now.
Personally, if acquiring Taylor only costs a 2nd-round pick + more, I believe the Broncos should make that deal. A 1-2 punch of Taylor and Coleman instantly gives the Broncos one of the better running back pairings in the NFL and would instantly reshape their offense. This would take a lot of pressure off quarterback Bo Nix, make teams have to defend the run game, and open up the pass game and play-action game for Nix. Plus, if you want to win in the postseason, you need to run the ball.
I believe giving up the draft capital, especially if it does not cost a first-round pick, is worth it for a team that is in a Super Bowl window right now. Even if they do not acquire Taylor, I still believe they need to upgrade their running back room. Coleman is a mostly inexperienced and unproven rookie at this point, Dobbins is struggling, and Harvey has continued to struggle as a runner (excellent as a pass catcher, though).
We have already seen multiple big blockbuster trades go down, and we still have a few weeks to go until the trade deadline. I would be shocked if the Broncos do not make a move during this period, but we will have to wait and see. Stay tuned to Mile High Report for all your news and updates surrounding the Denver Broncos.
