The Indianapolis Colts have started the year 2-4, and the team’s Week 6 loss prompted the firing of general manager Chris Ballard. The move has fueled speculation that the Colts could become sellers at the upcoming NFL Trade Deadline, since midseason front-office moves can result in major roster turnover. One of the team’s most valuable pieces that could be moved would be superstar running back Jonathan Taylor, and if Taylor is traded, huge playing time would be available for rookie running back Seth McGowan. Should you act early and stash McGowan on your fantasy football roster before a potential Taylor trade? What kind of upside would he bring if he were to take over as the primary starter?
Let’s dive in and take a quick look at the potential market for Taylor, and then examine McGowan’s fantasy football outlook for the rest of the season.
Could the Colts Trade Jonathan Taylor?
The Colts just signed Jonathan Taylor to a contract extension this past offseason, but that deal doesn’t necessarily make a trade of the running back impossible. He is under contract for the rest of this season and is scheduled to earn $16.02 million next season. None of the 2027 money is currently guaranteed, though, until five days after the Super Bowl.
For a “win-now” team that needs a running back, Taylor would be one of the biggest potential names available. The Giants, coached by John Harbaugh, have been mentioned as a potential destination for Taylor, since they are clearly unhappy with their running back situation and want to be a run-first offense.
Other contenders who need running back help could also be interested, with potential fits including the Seahawks, Bengals, Broncos, and possibly the Patriots. The market is still evolving, and there is no clear frontrunner yet, but if the Colts do opt to move him, several teams could explore a deal, especially since the financial commitment beyond this year can be minimal if that’s what they choose.
Through Week 6, Taylor has run for 492 yards and seven touchdowns on his 122 carries this season, adding 15 catches for 163 more yards. He’ll remain an elite fantasy option and weekly starter wherever he lands, but let’s take a look at who could step up if Taylor leaves.
Seth McGowan Fantasy Football Outlook
The Colts drafted McGowan in the seventh round after his senior season at Kentucky, and the rookie quickly opened eyes with an impressive training camp. McGowan and second-year running back DJ Giddens were expected to serve as Taylor’s backups at the start of the year, but McGowan has been the only running back to get any offensive snaps in the Colts’ offense all season besides Taylor.
McGowan played just 10 snaps combined in Week 1 and Week 2, but he has played exactly 19 snaps in each of the last three weeks. He has totaled 88 rushing yards on his 21 carries. His 27 yards on four carries in Week 6 were his best single-game rushing average of the season, and he recorded a season-long 18-yard run in the second quarter against the Titans.
While his fantasy upside is limited in his current role, he could step in as a workhorse back if Taylor is traded. That potential makes him worth stashing in deep leagues if you have a bench spot available. While the Colts could really shake things up in the coming weeks, possibly changing quarterbacks as well after the struggles of Daniel Jones, the offensive line is still solid enough to give the run game good potential.
With the trade deadline just a few weeks away at 4:00 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 10, stashing McGowan is a speculative move that could pay off if Taylor is traded. McGowan has the potential to be a weekly starter if he takes over most of Taylor’s workload, especially since the team doesn’t seem to be high on Giddens’ potential upside right now, since he hasn’t played a single offensive snap this season. That could change with a trade, but it would be surprising if McGowan didn’t get the first chance at playing time.
The Bottom Line: Stash Seth McGowan in Deep Leagues
McGowan is rostered in fewer than 5% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues, but he could be a great pickup if playing time opens up. The Colts don’t have their bye week until Week 13, but looking further down the road, he has potentially favorable matchups coming out of that as he takes on the Eagles, Titans, Bengals and Browns during the fantasy football playoffs in most leagues. He could be just one move away from being an impact performer, and if that move happens, you’ll be glad you stashed McGowan before the waiver wire rush.
