Colts seek first-round pick for Jonathan Taylor as trade talks involve multiple contenders
Indianapolis is reportedly looking for a first-round selection for running back Jonathan Taylor, with the Vikings, Giants, Broncos, Seahawks, Bengals and Packers among the teams in discussion.
The Indianapolis Colts, after trading veterans Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner and dismissing general manager Chris Ballard, are exploring a trade for running back Jonathan Taylor. The team, sitting 2-6, is said to be asking for compensation comparable to the first-round pick the Carolina Panthers gave for Christian McCaffrey in 2022, potentially involving a first-round selection and a defensive tackle.
Reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport indicate that the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots have expressed interest. The trade deadline is November 10.
"Taylor remains one of the league’s best players at his position and would give a contender an immediate offensive centerpiece for the remainder of 2026 and two additional seasons," the analysis notes.
The Broncos, currently 6-2, have a promising rookie back in Jonah Coleman, which could affect their willingness to part with a first-round pick. The Seahawks, 4-3, have added depth with Zach Charbonnet and rookie Jadarian Price but would need to commit another first-round pick to acquire Taylor. The Vikings, 6-1, lack a long-term feature back and could justify a first-round pick given their championship aspirations. The Giants, 4-2-1 under first-year head coach John Harbaugh, are leading the NFC East and may view a workhorse back as essential for a physical offense. The Packers, 5-3, lack a first-round pick for 2027 and would have to offer a 2028 selection, making the deal less attractive. The Bengals, 5-2, have the necessary draft capital and could benefit from a stronger running game to complement their high-powered passing attack.
The analyst assigns probabilities to each potential destination: Vikings (25%), Giants (25%), Broncos (15%), Seahawks (15%), Bengals (10%), Packers (5%), staying with Indianapolis (3%) and Patriots (2%). The primary obstacle remains the Colts’ asking price, as a first-round pick for a running back approaching 28 years old represents a significant investment.
If a trade materializes, the acquiring team would inherit Taylor’s remaining $34 million contract for the final two years of his deal, while the Colts would receive valuable draft assets to aid their rebuilding process.