ESPN put together its ranking of all 32 running back units ahead of the 2024 NFL season. So where does the Colts running back unit fall on this list?
Leading the way for the Colts is Jonathan Taylor, who has dealt with injuries the last two seasons, appearing in just 21 combined games during that span. Taylor was still effective when on the field in 2023, totaling almost 900 yards in only 10 games, but as he put it, an offseason injury left him playing catchup the entire season.
This offseason, however, Taylor is fully healthy and is “feeling great,” as he told reporters recently. We know that, when healthy, Taylor is a top back in the NFL, which has GM Chris Ballard believing that 2024 will be a “really big year” for him.
Behind Taylor on the depth chart, the backup running back competition will be one of the more intriguing battles this summer. Competing for that playing time will be Trey Sermon, Evan Hull, and Tyler Goodson.
This is an inexperienced group with just 92 career carries and 20 targets between the three of them, but in choosing not to make any outside additions to this position during the draft, the Colts appear to be a bit bullish about their running back depth.
“We got some young guys that came in, and Trey (Sermon) did a really good job when he came in and played for us last year,” added Ballard. “So we got some guys on the roster that we like. We get (Evan) Hull back. Hull’s healthy, we get him back, so we get to see what he can do and he showed us some good signs last year.”
Having a strong rushing attack will go a long way in helping Anthony Richardson. Early down success keeps the offense out of predictable passing situations, opens up the playbook, and sets up RPO and play-action opportunities.
Here is where the Colts running back room ranks among the rest of the NFL: