With the weekend news of former All-Pro running back Jonathan Taylor requesting a trade due to frustration with the Colts and team owner Jim Irsay, a move could come over the next month (or few months) despite Irsay’s reported denial. The suppressed market for running backs could limit the potential buyers, but below are five organizations that might be wise to at least consider making a blockbuster deal.
Chicago Bears
Loading up on offensive talent around Justin Fields was the priority this offseason, and Taylor could be the final piece for Chicago to go from the No. 1 overall pick to competing for a playoff spot in 2023. Zone reads would be deadly with Fields and Taylor both being capable of hitting a home run on any given play, and the Bears have two young tackles in Braxton Jones and rookie Darnell Wright to spring the superstar back into the second level—and they also have the most cap space (almost $28 million) in the league.
Buffalo Bills
Running back isn’t necessarily a need for Buffalo after signing Damien Harris to replace Devin Singletary as the complement to James Cook, and Latavius Murray is on the roster as well. However, the Bills have star players in their prime and should be looking at every avenue to improve the roster in a loaded AFC. On the heels of a dream draft with tight end Dalton Kincaid and guard O’Cyrus Torrence selected in the first two rounds, Taylor would be the cherry on top of a tremendous offseason.
Kansas City Chiefs
We had Taylor—our No. 6 overall prospect—ranked as the clear top running back in the 2020 NFL Draft, but the Chiefs obviously went in another direction by taking LSU’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of Round 1. Although Isiah Pacheco was excellent as a rookie, a lot of the initial buzz on Saturday night was around Kansas City being seen as landing spot for the 24-year-old runner, and it’d be a nightmare for defensive coordinators to defend Andy Reid’s offense with him in the backfield.
Baltimore Ravens
The final two teams are the most logical fits in my opinion, and the Ravens are already in a weird spot with J.K. Dobbins wanting to be paid—especially considering concerns about his overall health. Because of that, it might make sense to simply pivot to Taylor, which would give them a feared option at running back and take the visions of what new offensive coordinator’s Todd Monken’s offense can be to another level.
Philadelphia Eagles
Finally, the Eagles are the best fit for Taylor, and even if the price rises to the level of a first-round pick, we would 100% trade for and extend the South Jersey native despite the team having a handful of capable options on the depth chart. Philadelphia would then enter the year with a top-five quarterback, top-five running back, two elite wide receivers, a star tight end, the best offensive line in football, and a Georgia-infused defense… good luck stopping that roster from getting to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row.