The Indianapolis Colts made their intentions clear.
On Tuesday, the team announced itself as a seller ahead of the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline, sending defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers and guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks.
Initial indications are that the team may be less inclined to part with running back Jonathan Taylor, but as arguably the team’s most valuable trade asset, the Colts might be wise to rethink.
Consider the last major trade involving a running back in 2022, when San Francisco sent four picks (second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023, plus a 2024 fifth-rounder) to the Carolina Panthers for running back Christian McCaffrey.
The Colts should jump at something similar, but who needs to be in the market for Taylor? Below, we look at five potential destinations, plus what each team should offer in a trade.
How Taylor helps: In the six weeks since a 124-yard, three-touchdown Week 1 performance, Bears running back D’Andre Swift has averaged 58.7 yards per game and 3.6 yards per carry. According to SumerSports data, he ranks No. 27 out of 36 running backs with at least 50 touches during the span in expected points added (EPA) per rush attempt.
Per NFL Pro data, third-year quarterback Caleb Williams only trails Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen among qualifying passers in EPA per dropback. Adding Taylor would stress defenses further, making a prolific Bears offense even scarier.
Bears offer: 2027 second- and third-round picks, 2028 fourth | A year older and with considerably more wear than McCaffrey at the time of being on the trade market, the Bears — any team considering a deal, for that matter — may be unwilling to give quite as much for Taylor. But a three-pick haul, including two 2027 Day 2 selections, could be attractive enough for the Colts while also allowing the Bears to keep their first-rounder.
How Taylor helps: The Bengals are top-10 in scoring offense (27.2 points per game) and defense (20.2 points per game) but far from complete. Entering Week 8, Cincinnati ranks No. 30 in rushing (81.2 yards per game) while averaging 3.6 yards per attempt, putting enormous weight on the right shoulder of quarterback Joe Burrow, who’s completing an NFL-high 71.7 percent of his passes for 1,653 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions.
Bengals offer: 2027 first-round pick | If any team should go all-in for Taylor, it’s Cincinnati. After parting with its 2026 first to land defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II, the front office has already established that it’s in win-now mode. Providing Burrow an All-Pro-caliber back to pair with star wideouts Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins would give the team an even better chance of claiming the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy in February. Having parted with its own first-rounder in last year’s Sauce Gardner trade, Indianapolis may just be happy to get back into Day 1.
How Taylor helps: Cam Skattebo is the lead Giants back, but that role is tenuous after early season fumble issues. Does head coach John Harbaugh trust him enough to give the 2025 fourth-rounder the bulk of the carries heading into the back half of a season that finds New York in control of the NFC East? Whereas Skattebo has four fumbles in 98 carries this season, Taylor has fumbled four times in 463 carries since the start of the 2025 campaign, which would make him a far safer option at RB1.
Giants offer: 2027 second-round pick, 2028 second- and fifth-round picks | If Skattebo’s upside doesn’t give New York pause, its diminished draft capital might. The Giants already parted with a 2027 fourth during April’s NFL Draft, then next year’s fifth when adding quarterback J.J. McCarthy. By only giving up a second in 2027, New York would still have first- and third-rounders, while the Colts would get two potentially premium Day 2 picks.
How Taylor helps: The Seahawks may not have a need for Taylor depending on how the next two weeks go. Jadarian Price, selected No. 32 overall in the 2026 draft, is eligible to return to practice after missing the past four games with a chest injury, while Zach Charbonnet is expected to make his season debut soon after being a full participant in last week’s practice. But until either takes command of the backfield, Taylor should be a consideration.
Seahawks offer: 2027 second, 2028 second- and third-round picks | Seattle already sent two picks over the next two drafts to Indy for Nelson, so what’s a few others going to hurt? It would be less painful than watching Sam Darnold continue throwing interceptions. And as ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter recently noted, the Seahawks are expected to receive five compensatory picks in 2027, giving them ample capital to be ultra-aggressive in their title defense.
