Our friend Tim Weaver over at Seahawks Wire recently ranked the top NFL running backs. So where does the Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor fall on that list compared to his peers?
Various injuries have limited Taylor to just 21 combined games over the last two seasons. However, when on the field, he’s still remained a very effective ball carrier.
In 2023, Taylor totaled 741 yards despite playing in only 10 games. He averaged 4.4 yards per rush and scored seven touchdowns. Taylor ranked eighth among running backs in average yards after contact and was still 16th in rushes of 10-plus yards. In the passing game, Taylor remained efficient, catching almost 80 percent of his targets while averaging 8.1 yards per catch.
Taylor has been fully healthy this offseason, giving him a head start compared to this time last year. When meeting with reporters, Colts’ GM Chris Ballard said that Taylor looked “really good” and that he expects a “really big year” from him.
A strong run game to lean on can do wonders for a quarterback and the offense as a whole. Early down success on the ground results in short down-and-distances on second and third downs, which opens up the playbook for an offense while forcing the defense to defend the entire field, along with taking away some of the bite from the opposing pass rush.
With Taylor working through an early season injury in 2023 and Anthony Richardson’s rookie season being cut short, the two were only on the field together for two snaps last season. But now in 2024, that duo being in the backfield together is going to be one of the ways that this Colts’ offense can really stress opposing defenses.
“To have Anthony and JT back there,” said offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, “JT has an extensive history with a lot of success, leading the league in rushing. Now we’ve got Anthony, where a defense, gosh, there may be that mesh on a run play and it’s JT going left and it’s Anthony going right, and as a defense, how do you defend that?
“You have two really explosive players that maybe have a chance to end up with the ball on a run play, how do you defend all that? It is exciting.”
Now, without further ado, from No. 32 all the way to No. 1, here is how Weaver ranks the NFL’s top running backs and Taylor falls in that mix:
Tennessee running back Jaylen Wright (0) runs the ball during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.
Michigan running back Blake Corum scores a touchdown against Washington during the second half of U-M’s 34-13 win in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Trey Benson (3) runs the ball against the Louisville Cardinals during the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Texas Longhorns running back Jonathon Brooks (24) jumps over Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Reggie Pearson (21) for the first down in the third quarter during an NCAA college football game at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 in Dallas, Texas. This game makes up the119th rivalry match up.
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert (24) rushes the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 23: Running back Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 23, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Aug 11, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) celebrates with wide receiver Dyami Brown (2) and running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (30) runs past New Orleans Saints linebacker Demario Davis (56) during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (22) breaks away on a run for a touchdown in the second quarter of of the NFL Week 11 game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022. The Steelers led 20-17 at halftime.
Cincinnati Bengals At Pittsburgh Steelers Week 11
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Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham (52) defends during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
Nfl Los Angeles Rams At Arizona Cardinals
Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) takes off on a 75-yard touchdown catch in the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
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Lions running back David Montgomery runs against 49ers during the first half of the NFC championship game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates after scoring a touchdown San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Oct 1, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs the ball in the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) carries the ball as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) pursues during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Nov 20, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard (20) celebrates his touchdown during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates gaining yardage against the New York Jets during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Nov 15, 2020; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs the football against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) makes score a touchdown during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 15, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) carries the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 22, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) stiff arms Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports
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Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball against Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) during overtime of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
