Best fits for Jonathan Taylor: Which 6 teams make the most sense for Colts RB?

The Indianapolis Colts fire sale is well underway, but will it continue in the coming days?

After the firing of longtime general manager Chris Ballard, as well as the trades of guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, running back Jonathan Taylor could be the next to leave Indianapolis. The Colts are ready to trade Taylor, FOX Sports NFL Insider Jay Glazer reported Sunday.

Several teams have already been linked to Taylor. The Colts are reportedly willing to trade Taylor and several teams have expressed interest in obtaining his services, including the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and New York Giants.

This list makes sense for Taylor, who at 27 years old remains one of the most talented and productive running backs in the league. And we’ve added two more teams that should be interested in trading for Taylor as we rank the six best destinations for the star running back.

The Seahawks’ decision to use a first-round pick on Jadarian Price hasn’t paid off so far. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider has decided not to bring back reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency, and so far his team’s running game hasn’t been the same. Walker was the league’s most productive runner before his former teammates shut him down when Seattle handed the Kansas City Chiefs their first loss of the season last week.

The Seahawks are averaging 3.86 rushing yards per play, ranking 23rd in the NFL entering Week 8. Sam Darnold needs a consistent running game to rely on, which takes the pressure off him to carry the offense in the passing game. Seattle already traded with Indianapolis for All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and Schneider was working with Colts interim general manager Dodds in Seattle, so the relationship is there to move something forward. And Schneider has been active every year at the trade deadline.

However, the Seahawks have first-round picks Jadarian Price (chest) and Zach Charbonnet (knee) returning from injury this week, so Schneider may want to wait to make a significant investment at running back before seeing his plan to replace Walker on the field.

Joe Burrow once again played like one of the best QBs in the NFL. Is it time to give him a star RB? (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Quarterback Joe Burrow has (finally) stayed healthy and is playing elite football. The Bengals already have one of the most dynamic offenses in the league, led by Burrow, alongside receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

And, defensively, the addition of Dexter Lawrence made Cincinnati’s defense respectable. Chase Brown is a solid running back, but Taylor in the backfield, coupled with Cincinnati’s passing game, would make them the team to beat in the AFC North.

The Bengals have over $7 million in salary cap space, but would a traditionally frugal owner like Mike Brown be willing to forgo draft compensation and sign a player like Taylor to a long-term contract to justify that move? And would Taylor want to play in Cincinnati?

Josh Jacobs could face more discipline from the NFL, making the running back even more necessary for the Packers. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

The Packers have another quarterback playing at an MVP level in Jordan Love, and he’s doing it with one of the worst running games in the league. Green Bay averages a league-low 60.6 rushing yards per game. Even the return of Josh Jacobs didn’t improve those numbers, as the Packers showed their inability to get a boost in the running game with an offensive line ravaged by injuries.

Speaking of Jacobs, his ongoing legal issues could affect his availability later this year. Taylor’s dynamic running style, along with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, would instantly create more balance in Green Bay’s offense. And the Packers have recently shown a willingness to execute blockbuster trades, trading two first-round picks for Micah Parsons last year. The Packers need to make a move to keep pace with the NFC North competition.

Sean Payton’s best offenses came when he had a working running back. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Broncos head coach Sean Payton has been looking for a running back, as he did in Alvin Kamara with the New Orleans Saints, since taking over as head coach in Denver. And Taylor would provide that resource for a Denver offense that needs to support a struggling Bo Nix. The Broncos are averaging just 95 rushing yards per game, ranking 24th in the league heading into Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

JK Dobbins has been a productive player in Denver’s offense, but he has struggled to stay healthy. Rookie Jonah Coleman is an interesting piece in Denver’s backroom, but Taylor would give the Broncos an elite runner in the wide open AFC West. Taylor, coupled with Nix’s explosive running skills, gives the Broncos a more balanced attack.

Cam Skattebo’s woes have made the running back a need for the Giants. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Giants are surprisingly atop the NFC East in head coach John Harbaugh’s first year at the helm. Even though New York lost starting quarterback Jaxson Dart for the season due to a knee injury, general manager Joe Schoen already made a dramatic move by replacing him at quarterback with another dual-threat guy, JJ McCarthy, with satisfying results.

New York has already shown its willingness to make another big move, as Harbaugh reportedly contacted Tennessee Titans owner Amy Adams-Strunk about courting defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons to New York. So why not trade for Taylor and bring him to the Big Apple?

Cam Skattebo has done a respectable job running New York’s running game when healthy and without putting the ball on the ground. Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy are great complementary pieces. But the Giants, led by Harbaugh, believe they can win now, and Taylor provides a more dynamic player to run the offense, taking pressure off a young quarterback like McCarthy.

Can the Vikings help Kyler Murray by trading for Jonathan Taylor? (Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

If I’m Taylor, Minnesota would be my primary destination. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is one of the most innovative offensive minds in the game. The Vikings have two dynamic receivers in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, as well as a productive tight end in TJ Hockenson.

Yes, Kyler Murray hasn’t been lights out in Minnesota’s offense. But like James Conner in Arizona, Taylor would be a dangerous running threat who would pair well with Murray’s explosive running ability, making Minnesota’s offense more lethal.

Add in what the Vikings are doing on the other side of the football, with defensive coordinator Brian Flores leading a blitz-heavy defense that is one of the best in the league, and the NFL’s only undefeated team among the Vikings would be dangerous in the playoffs.