The November 10 NFL trade deadline is rapidly approaching, and numerous talented players could be on the move in the coming days. Whether teams are buyers or sellers at the deadline, there are plenty of skilled players available to help take a contending team to the next level or help a rebuilding franchise acquire more draft picks.
Jonathan Taylor has been one of the biggest potential trade targets at the deadline, with the Colts signaling a potential rebuild and looking to start from scratch. In the past few weeks, the Colts have fired GM Chris Ballard and traded two longtime players and team veterans in Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. Taylor has been heavily discussed as the next potential Colts player to be moved before the deadline, so let’s take a look at a few possible trade destinations for the star running back.
Despite the Vikings‘ terrific 6-1 start to the year, their offense has struggled heavily through eight weeks. Quarterback Kyler Murray has gone 5-1 as a starter for the Vikings but hasn’t done much under center, and his struggles have been somewhat overlooked due to Minnesota’s ability to keep winning games. In six games this season, Murray has thrown just five passing touchdowns to go along with three interceptions and a QBR of 44.6. Murray has not been able to get the most out of this Vikings offense, and it may take another step backward as Murray is out for Week 9 and backup Carson Wentz will take over as the starter.
Adding a star running back in Taylor could be exactly what the Vikings need to kickstart their offense. They already have capable weapons in Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, but bringing in a dynamic player like Taylor could really help the Vikings establish their running game, which would subsequently open up the passing game.
Numerous reports have indicated that the Colts’ asking price for Taylor is steep, but the Vikings are already one of the top contenders in the NFC and should be seriously considering the impact a player like Taylor could have on their team come playoff time. Taylor also signed a two-year, $44 million contract extension this summer that keeps him under contract through the 2028 season, which explains why the Colts are asking for a significant return in a potential trade.
The New York Giants have been one of the most talked-about teams in recent weeks as a potential destination for Taylor. The Giants have signaled that they want to be buyers at the deadline, as they currently hold a strong lead in the NFC East with a 4-2-1 record and want to make the most of their first season under John Harbaugh. The Giants have tried to prioritize the running game this season, but their efforts haven’t yielded much success on the ground. They are also dealing with injuries to Tyrone Tracy Jr., who is currently on IR, and Cam Skattebo, who is doubtful for the Giants’ Week 9 game against the Eagles with a hamstring injury.
Bringing in Taylor would immediately provide a boost to the offense and running game while also helping new starter J.J. McCarthy, who made his first start as a Giant during their Week 7 win against the Texans. Tracy and Devin Singletary have both shown flashes this season, but a one-two punch of Taylor and Skattebo would give the Giants a strong running back tandem for the latter portion of the season. It’ll be interesting to see if the Giants acquire Taylor or any other players at the deadline, as they seem determined to maintain their lead in an NFC East division that’s struggled this season.
The Broncos have a bit of a hole at running back at the moment, as RJ Harvey was recently placed on IR and J.K. Dobbins has struggled to gain momentum on the ground. Jonah Coleman has shown flashes of promise over the past two weeks after returning from injury, including a good performance against the Chiefs last week, but the question remains whether he can be the long-term starter this season. Denver ranks 26th in the league in rushing yards per game at 92.6 and will need someone to step up if they want to make another deep playoff push similar to last year.
Taylor could be the explosive addition this offense needs to take it to the next level. Sean Payton has always invested in the running game, and adding a player like Taylor could open up the passing game for Bo Nix and the rest of the offense. Denver, at 6-2, is already well-positioned to be a major contender in the AFC playoffs, but we’ll see if they opt to pursue a big-name player on offense like Taylor or stick with their running back committee of Dobbins, Coleman and Harvey for the rest of the season.
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