Back in 2020, the Indianapolis Colts got a steal in the NFL Draft in the form of running back Jonathan Taylor, who the team was able to grab with the 41st overall pick in the second round.
The Wisconsin product turned out to be a star in the making right away, as he racked up 1,468 yards from scrimmage and became a scoring machine in his rookie campaign with 12 total touchdowns.
The Colts got a gem with Taylor, who many believed could one day become the best running back in the game and a serious force to be reckoned with for Indianapolis.
Needless to say, the Colts have one of the best players in the league at the running back position, and Next Gen Stats prove that case, as he’s been one of the most productive players at the position since 2020.
Jonathan Taylor has been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL since being drafted in 2020.
Taylor ranks in the top 5 of rushing yards, RYOE and rush EPA over that time frame despite being tackled at or behind the LOS on 139 carries (T-3rd among RB).#ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/QNOZAfJkc0
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) July 31, 2023
In his sophomore season in Indianapolis, the Colts got a chance to see what he could really do as he torched the competition on a weekly basis and put his rookie stats to shame with an incredible performance from start to finish.
During the 2021 campaign, Taylor exploded as he was virtually unstoppable from week to week, averaging an insane 106.5 yards per game while playing in all 17 regular-season games for the Colts that year.
He racked up 1,811 rushing yards and an eye-popping 18 rushing touchdowns to go along with 360 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Taylor proved to be on another level but took a step back last season, playing in only 11 games due to injury.
Now Taylor has asked the team to trade him after a contract dispute, with team owner Jim Irsay unwilling to budge one way or the other, which is an unfortunate turn of events for the promising young running back.
NEXT: LeSean McCoy Supports Jonathan Taylor In Ongoing Colts Dispute
