Jonathan Taylor: Top Trade Destinations

All-pro Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has been granted permission to seek a trade. The soon-to-be former Colt has been atop the Colts headlines all off-season as the running back has had ongoing disputes regarding his contract and health. Taylor spent three years with the Colts after being drafted back in 2020 in the second round. Taylor racked up over 3840 yards on the ground to go along with 802 receiving yards and a combined 36 touchdowns. Now that Taylor can seek a suitor, we will take a look at the top landing spots for the star running backs service.

8. Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals come at the bottom of this list, but they definitely are a potential suitor. The Bengals have a star running back in Joe Mixon, who was just recently found not guilty for a charge received back in January, but Mixon, who just turned 27, is not a guarantee for the future.

The Bengals are also well aware of their competition in their own division to go along with the entire AFC as a whole. Adding a star like Jonathan Taylor to pair with Mixon in the backfield would make this elite offense and team even better, and I do not think the Bengals are against adding “superstars” to take them to that next level.

7. Philadelphia Eagles

Howie Roseman is at it again, and apparently Philly is pushing hard for a move for Taylor. Philly recently traded for Deandre Swift and signed Rashad Penny, so this move comes across as a bit unneeded, but similar to the Bengals, Philly was one win away from a Super Bowl and nonetheless expects to get back to that same spot.

Howie Roseman is not afraid of making moves, as the Philly general manager is always finding his team in trade talks. While both current RBs in the room are talented, injuries have sheltered their careers, and Taylor would be a significant upgrade to this star-studded roster. I personally ranked Philly at seven, as the need seems unnecessary, but many reports suggest Philly is pushing hard.

6. Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings are my sneaky pick to acquire Jonathan Taylor, as they departed this off-season with Dalvin Cook and handed Alexander Mattison the reigns to the running back room. Mattison has posted great numbers in games Dalvin had missed in years past, but Mattison’s ability over an eighteen-week season is yet to be seen.

The Vikings also added Jordan Addison in round one of this year’s NFL Draft, and he expects to do big things outside Justin Jefferson, but for many Vikings fans, it still may seem like not enough once you get into the post-season. Adding Jonathan Taylor to the young head coach’s Kevin O’Connell pass-first system could be the step the Vikings need to move onto playoff success as well as relieve some of the pressure Kirk Cousins consistently has to deal with on and off the field.

5. Buffalo Bills

The common theme with almost every team on this list is that they are all built around a key offensive piece as is and are expecting to win now. The Buffalo Bills fall at the very top of the talent list but consistently fall short to Kansas City, or the Bengals. Josh Allen being a strong runner as a quarterback can sometimes minimize the overall effect of the running back room in Buffalo causing the box score to look much less prettier compared to other teams.

While their second-round pick from last year, James Cook, is expected to take on an expanded role this season, his ability in the passing game makes it possible for a room of Taylor and Cook to thrive in Buffalo. Buffalo is certainly in a win-now situation, and adding Jonathan Taylor to their offense may become too much to handle for opposing teams.

4. Kansas City Chiefs

Falling all the way into the top four of this list is the Kansas City Chiefs, the former Super Bowl winner. The Chiefs proved last year, after the departure of Tyreek Hill, that they are still the team to beat, and Patrick Mahomes is undoubtedly the best quarterback in the NFL. Imagine implementing one of the best young running backs in the league, along with the best quarterback and tight end; it would simply be poetry in motion. Andy Reid could load up on cheeseburgers, as he knows that every given Sunday, those three guys can simply win the game. While, like most teams on this list, Kansas City has a decent running back room with the likes of Isiah Pacheco and Jerrick McKinnon, there is no argument to be made about them being better than Taylor.

Taylor would simply elevate this offense to a new tier of offenses, possibly forming the greatest trio of guys ever. If your a manager or coach in Kansas City and understand that nothing is guaranteed with the rest of Patrick Mahomes career, regardless of how good he is, then a move for Taylor makes almost too much sense. It would shift an elite offense into an even better one, as well as possibly putting less on the shoulders of Patrick Mahomes.

3. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens come into the top three, and I would not be surprised to see them land Jonathan Taylor. Baltimore is apparently looking to come into this new season with a new pass-first approach, as they hope to limit Lamar so he is able to withstand and play a whole season and more. Currently in the back room is J.K. Dobbins, who is only a few years older than Taylor but has had a hard time staying on the field after dealing with an injury early in his career. With Dobbins production, health, and ability all coming into question this year and the significance of keeping Jackson healthy, the Ravens would seemingly welcome the idea of Taylor.

Taylor would make it so the Ravens are able to keep Lamar under center as much as possible and pose a scary threat outside of Lamar for teams to plan for. This Baltimore team is miles better when Lamar is on the field, simple as that, but him not being on the field can be an issue for the Ravens as the numbers drop drastically without him. I think a Taylor trade would provide security for Lamar and show that the team truly believes in him, as his contract situation got handled this off-season. So for me, the importance of this trade would not be just about Taylor and his abilities on the field but also as a safety net for Lamar Jackson.

2. Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears come all the way in at the second-best destination for Taylor. The Bears are a rebuilding team but believe that Justin Fields can be their guy for the future, as they already went out and acquired him a number one WR in D.J. Moore, so why not add another young superstar to this up-and-coming core? It is expected the Bears will reach out for Taylor, and it makes a lot of sense, as currently second-year runner Khalil Herbert sits atop the depth chart. While Herbert showed signs in year one, unlike many guys on this list, it would be an easy replacement and decision for the Bears and Co.

Taylor could make this offense electric with Fields already being a huge threat out the backfield. It would also, similarly to Lamar Jackson, relieve some of the running stress put on Fields by not completely wearing and tearing his body. The Ravens and Bears seem like heavy suitors, and it is easy to understand why both teams would have interest in Taylor’s services.

1. Miami Dolphins

You probably came all this way expecting to see the Dolphins at the top of this list, and you are right. The Miami Dolphins flat out make too much sense for Taylor. Miami was in the running for Dalvin Cook this off-season and is definitely looking for their guy in the backfield. While Miami has veteran backs in Jeff Wilson Jr. and Raheem Mostert and a young, speedy back in Devon Achane, there is simply too much to like in Jonathan Taylor not to pull the trigger for a trade. The Dolphins are not afraid of trading for big names, as this past season they traded for the likes of Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb, and they are a team that has shown they will deal picks.

Adding Jonathan Taylor to the likes of Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, and Tua under the mind of Mike McDaniels is a recipe for success on offense. With everyone within the division improving this off-season, especially on the offensive side of the ball, the Dolphins know they will have to put up a lot of points. As they have shown signs of being a great team, Tuas health and other faulty decisions have hindered this team’s true potential. A move for Taylor to South Beach would be beneficial to both sides, as the Dolphins have the money to pay him and have the need for the running back position to take them to the next step.

Signing a Superstar

As the Taylor situation seems to figure itself out over the course of the following weeks, there is no doubt to me that a team on this list will be landing a superstar-caliber player and someone you can build around. Taylor will finally be able to get paid the way he respectfully wants, and who knows, maybe the back injury will slowly linger away. It was a disappointing year for Taylor in 2022, as the year prior he had finished in the top five in the league amongst all positions. Regardless of injuries and contracts, Taylor remains one of the best backs in football at only 24 years of age and seems to have a lot left in his tank going forward. My guess for where Taylor lands would be the Dolphins or the Bears, but there should be more clarity on the situation moving forward.