Player insights

Taylor scored two touchdowns against the Chiefs on pin-pull concepts in Week 2. On both touchdowns, Indianapolis used pin-pull concepts to create a wide edge, and the Chiefs struggled to set the edge. On the first touchdown, the center and right tackle pulled around the edge, with the tackle easily widening linebacker Tranquill, and tight end Tyler Warren sealed rookie defensive end R Mason Thomas inside. On the second touchdown, the Chiefs didn't travel the corner with motion, keeping Kristian Fulton in the run fit, but Fulton got pancaked by Quentin Nelson, and the Chiefs' edge defenders couldn't shed blocks.

Jonathan Taylor is cited as one of Chris Ballard's greatest hits at running back; he is a very good football player. However, the source's broader criticism is that Ballard has spent a decade finding good players at positions that cannot compensate for being unsettled at quarterback and unable to consistently rush the passer.

Jonathan Taylor remains a significant success from Ballard's draft history, representing one of the franchise-changing talents the Colts needed at the top of their draft.

Taylor became one of the league's best running backs under Ballard's tenure and remains one of the significant draft successes.

Taylor is cited as one of Ballard's 'greatest hits' and described as an 'elite running back,' representing successful draft capital allocation at the position; however, the source argues that while Taylor and other offensive pieces are quality, the Colts have spent a decade finding good players at positions that cannot compensate for being unsettled at quarterback and unable to consistently rush the passer.

Taylor is cited as one of the few significant successes in Ballard's draft history, remaining on the roster as a franchise-changing talent from the early-round picks.

Taylor became one of the league's best running backs under Ballard's tenure and remains one of the significant draft successes.

Jonathan Taylor faces a Houston Texans defense that ranks second-best in EPA allowed to the run, has allowed the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game (85.0), an explosive run rate of just 2.3%, and ranks fourth-lowest in success rate against man/gap scheme runs—an area where Taylor had been succeeding with 5.38 yards per carry. While Taylor has increased receiving involvement with four targets in each of his two games, the Colts' loss of Alec Pierce for a sustained period and the Texans' overall defensive strength make this a low-scoring, slow-paced game that is risky to count on.

Epstein suggests the Colts should 'lean on Jonathan Taylor to control the clock' as Daniel Jones settles into his post-Achilles tear year, positioning Taylor as a key offensive weapon for the 0-2 Colts' playoff push.

Jonathan Taylor had a big game on SNF in Week 2, though Scott Pianowski was able to overcome it with Justin Boone's strong performance in his 113.8-103.66 victory.

Jonathan Taylor remains a key part of the target distribution in the offense, having consistently earned targets since Shane Steichen took over as head coach.

Taylor had a bigger box score day for Indianapolis with 24 carries, 92 yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, plus 4 catches for 40 yards on a heavier workload concentrated in the first half (14 of his 24 carries came before halftime); he played 94% of the snaps.

Jonathan Taylor broke loose for two scores against Kansas City in Week 2, exposing a weakness in the Chiefs' defense despite their overall ranking; however, the source still rates the Chiefs highly for Week 3 against Miami.

Got loose for two scores in Week 2 against Kansas City, demonstrating explosive production despite the Chiefs' defensive ranking; the source notes the Chiefs' poor pressure rate may be explained by facing strong offensive lines (Broncos, Colts) rather than defensive weakness.

Ranked third among running backs in Week 3 fantasy rankings by Daniel Dobish of TheHuddle.com, facing the Houston Texans at home.

In the Colts' overtime loss to Kansas City, Taylor was handed two straight runs that lost 3 yards as Indianapolis drove deep into Chiefs territory, resulting in a third-and-13 situation. Coach Shane Steichen said he was 'trying to finish the game with JT, put the ball in his hands,' but the conservative play-calling backfired and contributed to the Colts' inability to convert and ultimately lose in overtime.

The combination of star running back Jonathan Taylor and the Colts' offensive line is likely a challenge few opponents can replicate; the source notes this as the biggest concern for the Chiefs' defense coming out of the Broncos win, as the defense struggled against a team that doesn't abandon the run early.

Trade value of 52.3 with a -7.0 week-over-week decline; ranked 5th among RBs; bye week 13; faces HOU, WAS, PIT in weeks 3–5.

Slayton's addition as a deep threat is expected to open up the Colts' offense for Jonathan Taylor at running back.

Could benefit from Slayton's presence as a deep threat; the Colts' addition of Slayton is intended to open up the offense for Taylor and tight end Tyler Warren by stretching the defense vertically.

The source notes that Jonathan Taylor can break a long run at any time, but the Colts' conservative play-calling approach after receiving the Treadwell gift at the 17-yard line—featuring two runs in the wrong direction and a quarterback scramble—suggested the offense lacked confidence in Taylor or the run game to finish the drive, ultimately leading to a fourth-and-eight incompletion and overtime loss.

Jonathan Taylor is being ranked ahead of Christian McCaffrey following a strong performance, though there is concern that a lack of weapons like Alec Pierce could lead to defenses stacking the box against the Colts.

Taylor was tackled at the 1-yard line but failed to score a touchdown on any subsequent opportunity, losing a potential scoring chance.