Updated Colts Running Back Fantasy Outlook: Deon Jackson vs. Zack Moss vs. Evan Hull
With the news that Jonathan Taylor is on the trade block, every fantasy manager is rushing to predict and analyze his potential landing spots. But what about the team he's leaving? Every starting running back belongs on the fantasy football radar, and Taylor's departure would leave a gaping hole in the Indianapolis backfield. And will losing Taylor affect Anthony Richardson, Michael Pittman, and the rest of the Colts' offense? Let's get right into it.
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Fantasy Impact of Jonathan Taylor Leaving Indianapolis
Running Back: Deon Jackson vs. Zack Moss vs. Evan Hull
The first question to ask is who will see the majority of work in the Colts' backfield if Taylor is indeed traded. The obvious in-house contenders to claim the role are Deon Jackson, a 2021 UDFA who started two games in place of an injured Taylor in 2022, fifth-round rookie Evan Hull, and Zack Moss, a former third-round pick whom the Colts acquired midseason in a trade with Buffalo last year. The Colts' current depth chart also includes former Ram Jake Funk and journeyman Kenyan Drake, although they are depth pieces unlikely to find fantasy relevance.
Of these backs, Moss should be considered the favorite to replace Taylor as the lead back. He has the best draft capital of the bunch, and he has posted okay metrics thus far in his NFL career, including over three yards per carry after contact in 2022. However, the situation is further clouded because Moss is currently out with a broken arm, and his status for Week 1 is in doubt. In Moss' absence, Jackson started the Colts' most recent preseason game, with Hull also seeing work.
Assuming Taylor does depart and nothing else changes, those three backs, in that order (Moss, then Jackson, then Hull), will likely all be involved to some extent in the Colts' run game. If that is the case, Moss should be considered a flex option, while the other two will likely carry no consistent fantasy value.
However, if Taylor is traded, don't be surprised if the Colts add to their running back room, especially with Moss currently injured. The two obvious names that spring to mind are Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette, both of whom remain free agents with Week 1 just around the corner. Hunt visited with the Colts early in August after they reportedly called him just as he was about to sign with the Saints to offer more money.
If either Hunt or Fournette does land in Indianapolis, they would be the de facto starter. The same would go for most RBs that the Colts could potentially acquire in return for Taylor. In that case, any of these backs, barring the shock arrival of another elite talent in return for Taylor, would still be nothing more than a flex or fringe RB2 candidate. The Colts have one of the lowest win totals in the NFL, and their offense with rookie QB Anthony Richardson does not project to be particularly efficient.
If you are in a league that has already drafted, check your waiver wire for Moss, Jackson and Hunt. Dropping your kicker for any of these backs is a no-brainer and could pay huge dividends if they land the starting job. If you have a draft coming up, it's worth spending a late-round pick on Moss, but otherwise, I would stay away from non-Taylor backs currently on the Colts' roster.
The Rest: Anthony Richardson, Michael Pittman, Alec Pierce
Overall, I think a potential Taylor trade has to be considered a negative for the rest of the Colts' offense. Taylor isn't much of a pass-catcher, so his departure doesn't free up too many targets. And as much as we talk about the interchangeability of running backs in today's NFL, losing one of the league's best backs is going to hurt this offense.
However, I wouldn't overreact to a Taylor trade with regard to the rest of the Colts' pieces. Our rankings currently have Pittman as the WR34, Pierce as the WR77, Richardson as the QB16, and every other Colts' player outside of fantasy relevance; I don't expect them to change much if and when Taylor is traded.
It could be argued that Richardson will struggle even more than expected if defenses can focus on stopping the pass in Taylor's absence, but that doesn't truly impact his fantasy profile. Drafting Richardson is a bet on the rookie's insane upside thanks to his rushing ability, and that doesn't change with Taylor out of the picture.
Similar logic can be applied to Pittman and Pierce. Whether you were in or out on either with Taylor on the team likely depended on your opinion of them as players, as well as the Colts' offense as a whole under Richardson. That shouldn't change if Taylor is gone.
