The NFL season is quickly approaching and fantasy drafts are in full swing. At DraftKings, you can play an array of different season-long fantasy contests.
Below, I take a look at the fantasy value of all of the players in the Indianapolis Colts’ backfield.
Indianapolis Colts Backfield
The Colts will be leaning heavily on their run game this season. They currently have a quarterback battle underway between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, two of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL over the past several seasons. However, both quarterbacks are quite mobile and can be dynamic in the running game. That part of the quarterback play will be helpful to star running back Jonathan Taylor. Since entering the league in 2020, Taylor has over 6,000 rushing yards, the second-most in the NFL during that stretch behind only Derrick Henry. He is one of the most underrated players in the sport, continuing to perform every year despite not being on great teams.
This will be the third season in Indianapolis under head coach Shane Steichen and offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. Even if the quarterback situation isn’t great, Taylor is fully comfortable in this system and should thrive despite the quarterback play. Richardson and Jones are both capable of running read options, which will make it harder for defenses to stop Taylor. Taylor got a dominant amount of the carries last season, taking 61% of the team’s carries. Despite only playing 11 games, Anthony Richardson was the team’s second-leading rusher with 17% of the carries. Backup running backs Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson each finished the season with less than 160 rushing yards and four combined touchdowns.
Running Back Handcuffs: DJ Giddens or Tyler Goodson
Neither Trey Sermon nor Tyler Goodson were able to carve out a role in the Colts’ backfield last season. Sermon left Indianapolis for Pittsburgh during the offseason, and the Colts spent a fifth-round pick on DJ Giddens out of Kansas State. Goodson and Giddens will be battling for the RB2 role. Over the last two seasons in college football, Giddens ranked eighth in rushing yards. He was an electric, dynamic player for Kansas State and could be a good change-of-pace back for the Colts.
Last season, the quarterback effectively served as the RB2 role. Whether Jones or Richardson is the starter, that will likely be the same again. Both quarterbacks like to use their legs and will play big roles in the running game when on the field. Despite playing all 16 games last season, Tyler Goodson was never able to carve out a real role. If you were to take a chance on one back in fantasy drafts, it should be DJ Giddens, particularly in dynasty leagues.
There is a potential out in Jonathan Taylor’s contract after this season, and even if that’s exercised, he only has one year left. The Colts could look to offload Taylor’s contract this offseason and get something back for him as they look to rebuild their team and find a quarterback. If Giddens can carve out a small role for himself in his rookie season, that could give the Colts faith in him moving forward. While this season is likely to be dominated by Taylor and the quarterbacks, Giddens has the best shot to find a role in this offense.
