ESPN is projecting another big 2025 season for Indianapolis Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor.
ESPN has released its 2025 projections, including the projected stat line for Indianapolis Colts’ running back Jonathan Taylor.
Each offseason, Mike Clay puts these projections together, which not only highlights individual performances, but also each team’s win probability every week of the regular season as well.
When it comes to Taylor, Clay is projecting another huge season for him in 2025.
Over 14 games, Clay has Taylor carrying the ball 301 times and totaling 1,392 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns. That breaks down to an average of 4.6 yards per rush attempt.
These projected numbers are very similar to the season that Taylor put together in 2024. In 14 games this past year, Taylor rushed the ball 303 times for 1,431 yards at 4.7 yards per attempt with 11 touchdowns, according to PFF.
Understandably so, all eyes will be on the Colts‘ quarterback competition, but Taylor is going to play a pivotal role in helping to put whoever is under center in a position to be successful.
When an offense has a run game to lean on, it keeps that unit ahead of the sticks and out of predictable passing situations. Then, when operating from those manageable down-and-distances, it can help open up opportunities in the passing game as well, whether it be through play-action or the defense prioritizing the run game.
The combination of Taylor and Anthony Richardson in the zone-read game can be an added stressor for defenses. Shane Stiechen mentioned earlier this offseason that Daniel Jones can run the ball in the zone-read game as well.
With that said, one difference this offseason compared to last is that there are some added unknowns along the offensive line for the Colts this year. Presumably, with Will Fries in Minnesota, Matt Goncalves will transition to right guard. Perhaps it ends up being a seamless move, but we also don’t know that to be a certainty either.