With offseason programs now behind us, let’s take a position-by-position look at where things stand for the Indianapolis Colts. Next up are the running backs.
If you missed our quarterbacks review, you can find that here.
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No surprises here, but the running game is going to go through Jonathan Taylor once again. After dealing with injuries during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Taylor was mostly healthy in 2024, and back to his old form, totaling the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL, while averaging 4.7 yards per attempt.
Naturally, all eyes will be on the Colts’ quarterback competition, but Taylor’s success on the ground will be pivotal when it comes to the offense as a whole finding consistency. Having a strong running game to lean on keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and out of predictable passing situations, while opening up opportunities through the air as well.
Can the Indianapolis Colts get more production behind Jonathan Taylor this season?
As GM Chris Ballard said back at the NFL combine, the Colts need more production from the running backs on the depth chart behind Taylor. To help foster this, Ballard made some new additions, signing free agent Khalil Herbert and drafting DJ Giddens, while letting Trey Sermon walk in free agency.
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Herbert and Giddens will be competing with Tyler Goodson for two roster spots. Presumably, we can assume that Giddens will be on the team with Taylor, and my guess right now is that Herbert beats out Goodson, with the Colts wanting to go in a different direction at running back as they search for more production.
However, when it comes to who will hold that second running back role on the depth chart, that still remains to be seen. My expectation is that both Herbert and Giddens will see playing time this season, but how that breaks down exactly in the early portion of the season will be determined by what takes place over the summer.
Can the Colts get more passing game contributions from the running back position?
The passing game element out of the backfield was something that was missing in 2024, but it can give this Colts’ offense another dimension that defenses have to account for, and potentially, further expand the playbook for Shane Steichen.
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Most likely, this will have to come from either Herbert or Giddens. Up to this point in his career, Herbert has had modest pass-catching production, but Giddens played a relatively good-sized role in the passing game at Kansas State.
Over Giddens’ final two seasons, he was targeted 72 times and totaled almost 600 receiving yards with four touchdowns. In 2024, Giddens’ impressive 12.9 yards per catch ranked 11th among running backs, per PFF.
“He’s going to hit his ceiling in the passing game,” said Colts’ area scout Tyler Hughes via the Indy Star. “He’s shown enough on tape, as far as a receiver, where he can make guys miss in the open field and run some routes and catch the ball reliably.”
Contributing in the passing game at the NFL level isn’t only about catching the ball, but being able to hold up in pass protection as well.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts 2025 offseason review: Jonathan Taylor and the running backs