INDIANAPOLIS — Christian McCaffrey might have taken the crown, but Jonathan Taylor owned the trenches in 2025. In a season where the Indianapolis Colts roller-coasted through quarterback chaos, Taylor didn’t just survive; he thrived. Finishing as the overall RB2 in fantasy, the former Wisconsin Badger put the offense on his back, racking up a league-leading 323 carries and smashing his way to 18 rushing touchdowns.
Now, as we look toward the 2026 draft boards, the question isn’t if Taylor is a first-round pick. It’s whether he should be the 1.01.
Volume is king in fantasy football, and Jonathan Taylor is the emperor. Over the last two seasons, he has logged a staggering 626 rushing attempts for 3,016 yards. That isn’t just production; that is 1990s-era bell-cow usage in a league obsessed with committees.
Critics will point to the workload. They’ll say 626 carries in 24 months is a recipe for breakdown. But Taylor, now 27, just posted a career-best 46 receptions on 55 targets. He is evolving. With the passing game struggling after Daniel Jones went down with a torn Achilles, Taylor became the safety valve, turning dump-offs into chunk plays. That versatility keeps his floor incredibly high, even if the rushing volume dips slightly in 2026.
“You look at the film, and you see a guy who refuses to go down on the first contact. JT knows the clock is ticking on running backs in this league, but he trains like he’s still trying to earn a roster spot. That 1,500-yard season wasn’t an accident; it was a statement.”
— Shane Steichen, Indianapolis Colts Head Coach
Here is the X-factor for 2026: Daniel Jones. The quarterback is expected to be fully recovered from his Achilles tear by training camp. Why does this matter for Taylor? Two reasons.
If Jones returns to form, defenses can’t simply stack the box with eight men. That means lighter fronts and more explosive runs for No. 28.
Don’t overthink this. You are getting a running back who guarantees you 15+ touchdowns and 1,400+ yards if he plays 15 games. The offensive line remains a top-10 unit, and the Colts have zero intention of moving away from their “run the damn ball” identity.
Is he “old” at 27? In running back years, maybe. But Taylor has shown zero decline in burst or power. In fact, his 4.9 yards per carry in 2025 was his highest efficiency since his 2021 breakout. He remains a Tier 1 asset.
