According to NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport, the Indianapolis Colts are now open to trading star running back Jonathan Taylor before the upcoming trade deadline. In the report, both insiders listed the Broncos among 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 it looks like they’re not done having a fire sale.
Schefter and Rapoport named 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.
Right now, the Vikings seem to be the reported frontrunner for Taylor, but as we know, things can change, and circumstances can change a team’s level of desperation to land a player.
For the Broncos, their run game has struggled to start the season. Veteran JK Dobbins, who the Broncos re-signed this offseason and expected to be the same back they saw last season, struggled to start the year. He recently unfollowed the Broncos on social media (if you care about that) and got back with 9NEWS Broncos insider Mike Klis. Also, second-year running back RJ Harvey suffered a knee injury during practice this week, which is not considered serious per reports, but he will sit out Sunday’s big game against the Chiefs.
Last week, the rookie running back was activated from injured reserve and immediately took over the Broncos’ backfield. He led Broncos backs in snaps, touches and yards and will now start against the Chiefs on Sunday. If Coleman has a big game against the Broncos’ division rivals, it will pour cold water on these trade talks, but any struggles or injuries could escalate 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, are not satisfied with the offers and are telling teams that they need to send their best offers now.
Personally, if getting Taylor is only worth a 2nd-round pick + more, I believe the Broncos should make that deal. A 1-2 punch of Taylor and Coleman immediately gives the Broncos one of the better running back pairings in the NFL and immediately reshapes their offense. This will take a lot of pressure from 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 have to run the ball.
I believe that giving up draft capital, especially if it doesn’t cost a first-round pick, is worth it for a team in the Super Bowl window right now. Even if they don’t get Taylor, I still believe they need to upgrade their running back room. Coleman is a largely inexperienced and unproven rookie at this point, Dobbins has struggled, and Harvey has continued to struggle as a runner (however, very good as a pass catcher).
We’ve already seen a lot of big blockbuster trades go down, and we still have a few weeks before the trade deadline. I’d be surprised if the Broncos don’t make a move this season, but we’ll have to wait and see. Stay tuned to the Mile High Report for all your news and updates surrounding the Denver Broncos.