Young veteran running backs haven't been happy about the current state of the running back market. The Colts' Jonathan Taylor, in the final year of his rookie contract, is the latest to get into a value dispute with team officials.
Taylor has been displeased enough with Colts owner Jim Irsay to request a trade from Indianapolis. The questions are, is there another team willing to give up enough to land the 2021 NFL rushing champion and then give Taylor a lucrative enough long-term second deal?
While accomplished running backs such as Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Kareem Hunt remain on the open market despite some interest, the landscape and the timing aren't great for Taylor to demand his needs be met by Indianapolis (or any of the other 31 teams around the NFL).
Regardless, Taylor's situation in Indy appears untenable one week into training camp, so here's a look at the five teams that should be most intrigued by Taylor's availability, should he and the Colts part ways for the 2023 season.
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Chicago Bears
The Bears are high on Khalil Herbert and added journeyman power back Dont'a Foreman in the wake of not re-signing David Montgomery. They also drafted rookie power back Roschon Johnson. Although those are some good parts behind a fine run-blocking line playing off Justin Fields' running, none of them can hold up as three-down workhorses.
Taylor and Fields would a nightmare combination of Big Ten rushing threats. The Bears have the most salary cap room in the NFL, too, with more than $28 million available. They are a much-improved team from the offseason and sleeper NFC wild-card contender.
GM Ryan Poles has been aggressive in Chicago's overhaul. Getting Taylor while Fields is on his rookie deal would a shrewd move to further boost the roster.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are dealing with their own running back issues with the lesser Big Ten product JK Dobbins, part injury recovery and part his personal contract disappointment. They already had to sign Melvin Gordon for further insurance.
Baltimore should think about Taylor to clean up its rushing attack to support Lamar Jackson. With the new passing improvements for Jackson under Todd Monken, a 1-2 running punch like that would make the Ravens one of the most dangerous, versatile and hard-to-defend offenses. Taylor's addition feels like gravy, but it would put the Ravens in better position to better challenge the Bengals in the AFC North.
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Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins brought back the oft-injured former 49ers combination of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. before drafting Devon Achane for Mike McDaniel's zone-blocking rushing attack. Myles Gaskin also remains in the mix.
Miami has been attached to going after Cook but nothing has materialized there. Taylor would be a better way to clean up the committee with a three-down back who can thrive in the system. He can also be a key luxury piece to the Dolphins in a tougher, more competitive AFC East vs. the Bills, Jets and Patriots.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings moved on from Cook and are working to clean up some salary issues but the bottom line is Taylor is better overall and younger than Cook, making him worth it for a little more investment. Alexander Mattison has gotten some positive reviews, but there's no certainty he can handle a starter-like load.
Taylor can crush it as a runner and receiver in Kevin O'Connell's offense and boost Minnesota's chances of returning to the NFC playoffs in a tougher division. He would play well off the downfield passing game featuring Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson.
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New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is a budding young complete back in his own right, but the Patriots' interest in Cook, Fournette and Elliott suggests they would like a little more experience in the backfield after letting Damien Harris leave for the rival Bills in free agency. New England figures to be a run-heavy, defensive-minded team to take pressure off Mac Jones, zigging in a division where everyone else is zagging with stacked passing games.
Taylor and Stevenson would give them unlimited interchangeable touches with which to work in all situations. It would be a bit unconventional for the Patriots to make such a move, but the timing is right with their current necessary philosophy under Bill Belichick.
