Last week it was announced that the Indianapolis Colts signed former Chicago Bears running back, Khalil Herbert. While getting someone to help bolster the running game was needed, the buck cannot stop with just Jonathan Taylor and Herbert. The Colts also need to look to the draft for a running back to solidify this crucial piece on offense.
The running back position has flown under the radar for the Colts, but it’s the heartbeat of Shane Steichen’s offense. So much of the conversation has been surrounding Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. However, the conversation needs to be shifted towards the element that actually will help the Colts win football games. In 2025, the Colts will not win games due to explosive quarterback play. Rather, the Colts will win games in 2025 because they rely on their running game. This is why acquiring more talent is crucial and why the Colts must look to the draft for a solid backup running back.
Why the Colts Need to Draft a Running Back
The Importance of Security Behind Jonathan Taylor
The most valuable player on the Colts offense right now is Jonathan Taylor. The two-time Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro back is coming off another impressive season in 2024. Despite missing several games due to injury, Taylor still managed to wrack up 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns. Needless to say, the Colts rely on his talent a lot during games. Therefore, the Colts need to ensure that the backup running back is someone who can keep the offense steady when called upon.
As mentioned, Taylor missed several games in 2024 due to injury. In 2023, Taylor dealt with several injuries in which he missed almost half of the season. The data is clear on running backs. The longer they play, the harder it is for them to stay healthy. Unfortunately, Taylor is beginning to show signs of that.
With a run-heavy offense, it will be vital to ensure that the run game does not miss a beat if Taylor is not on the field. Therefore, the Colts need to acquire another playmaker, and drafting a running back could be a good short-term, and potentially a long-term solution. This is not to say that the Colts should draft Taylor’s replacement. Rather, this is to bring to light the fact that the Colts cannot rely on just Khalil Herbert. With what happened last season, they certainly cannot rely on Trey Sermon or Tyler Goodson.
The Importance of Stability for the Quarterback
As mentioned, the Colts are a team that relies on the running game to have success on offense. Considering that their hopeful starter, Anthony Richardson is still very inexperienced, the running game will be crucial to his success. Right now, Richardson cannot be relied upon to carry this offense. Therefore, ensuring the running back position is bolstered to its maximum will be key for the Colts.
It does need to be conveyed that the Colts do not need to draft a running back with a high draft pick. The Colts can easily find talent in the fourth or fifth round and get their guy. A few players to watch out for would be Ollie Gordon II, Damien Martinez, or RJ Harvey.
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