There are two ways to handle trading a key player. First, speak quietly to a minimal number of teams. Like the Titans did with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. Second, open the doors and try to get the best possible set of draft picks and/or players in return. As the Colts currently do with running back Jonathan Taylor.
Indianapolis officially declared that Taylor is availablevia a selective and strategic leak to ESPNFL. Trade negotiations are “active and ongoing,” according to the report.
The teams that have “expressed at least some level of interest” are the Broncos, Packers, Vikings, Giants and Seahawks.
Last weekend Sunday Splash! a report that served as an “everything must go” sign for the Colts identified the Broncos, Packers, Vikings and Seahawks as teams potentially interested in Taylor. The Giants (who, according to several sources, pursued Simmons) are a new arrival. Which could be bad news for second-year running back Cam Skattebo, who emerged from the doghouse last week with 124 rushing yards. (Frankly, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Giants offered Skattebo to the Colts as part of the trade package.)
Since tying four teams to trade talks doesn’t get the Colts maximum compensation, the new report notes that the Colts “would prefer” for Taylor to stick around for their “rebuild.”
If they really wanted Taylor, they wouldn’t present him with trade offers.
The Colts are reportedly looking for a package similar to what the 49ers sent to the Panthers in 2022 for running back Christian McCaffrey: a second-round pick, a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick in the 2023 draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2024 draft.
The next question is whether Taylor will play on Sunday. It’s possible, in our opinion, that the Colts keep Taylor out of action on Sunday in Jacksonville, like the Cardinals did three weeks ago when they made a deal to trade wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to the Texans. Even without a deal, keeping Taylor out of the game would ensure he doesn’t get injured.
If that happens, rookie Seth McGowan would likely be the starter in Week 8. Last Sunday, the seventh-rounder who played for Kentucky last year had 11 carries for 48 yards in a 16-10 loss to the Vikings.
And the Vikings continue to make the most sense for Taylor. Especially since they had the best possible opportunity to scout him six days ago, when he had 18 carries for 95 yards and an Adrian Peterson-style 38-yard touchdown run.
If the Vikings add Taylor in the coming days, he would likely make his debut as early as next Monday night, when the Vikings host the Bills. And when they put Peterson on the team’s ring of honor.
Gn sports
