Whether one should or shouldn’t do something isn’t as much about the action itself but more about the downstream effects. What is the risk vs reward? Is this a good thing with a positive net outcome, or is it potentially riddled with consequences? Trading Jonathan Taylor is now on the table after the fire sale started for the Indianapolis Colts. That doesn’t mean he will be traded. Then again, it all comes back to the risk and reward.
What is Taylor worth on the NFL trade market? That is the million
dollar question. The Colts are seemingly asking for at least a first-round pick to headline the trade. Although this year isn’t his best, Taylor is one of the best backs and players in the league. He finds the end zone and makes big plays. That is worth a lot. He is a running back, however, and the league has shown how that position’s value fluctuates. This is the back half of his prime too, but he should still have enough juice for a team to make a trade. The Colts have to determine if the juice is worth the squeeze, however, based on the return compensation.
Entering a rebuild, draft capital is huge. Taylor can certainly fetch some of that. What he is worth on the NFL trade market and what he is worth to the Indianapolis Colts are two different things, though. He is a captain, although that hasn’t held as much weight the last few days. He is a leader and franchise player. Taylor is one of the few remaining big names on the team. His value with a new/rookie quarterback could be invaluable. Giving a rookie a strong running game is the perfect way to ease them into things. Letting Taylor go, especially for less than desired, and seeing him tear it up with another team would be a hard pill to swallow.
Every decision comes with the unknown. In sports, those decisions are under a microscope as everyone is trying to determine who got the better deal. Terms like “fleeced,” “hosed,” and “heist” are thrown around in the immediate. The long-term can change those views, but that will be the talk if the Colts move on from Jonathan Taylor. Take the draft picks to rebuild, or hold on to the last pillar this team has? What’s the move?
