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:
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Dec 31, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) walks onto the field for action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
31. Cincinnati Bengals
CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 10: Chase Brown #30 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts during the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Paycor Stadium on December 10, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
30. Las Vegas Raiders
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 31: Zamir White #35 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 31, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
29. Los Angeles Chargers
Nov 26, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards (35) moves the ball against Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. (9) during the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
28. Denver Broncos
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
27. New York Giants
Nov 18, 2023; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (3) runs with the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
26. Carolina Panthers
(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
25. Cleveland Browns
Sep 22, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) stiff arms Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Robert Spillane (41) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-USA TODAY Sports
24. Minnesota Vikings
Jan 12, 2020; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (33) runs the ball against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of a NFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
23. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) finds a hole at the line of scrimmage.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
21. Tennessee Titans
Dec 3, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (32) returns the opening kickoff during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
20. Arizona Cardinals
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (6) celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic
19. Houston Texans
(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
18. New England Patriots
Dec 3, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) rushes against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
17. Chicago Bears
Jan 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back D’Andre Swift (0) greets wide receiver Britain Covey (18) during warm ups before a 2024 NFC wild card game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
16. Kansas City Chiefs
Nov 20, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) runs the ball as Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham (52) defends during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
15. Los Angeles Rams
Michigan running back Blake Corum scores a touchdown against Washington during the second half of U-M’s 34-13 win in the College Football Playoff national championship game in Houston on Monday, Jan. 8, 2024.
14. Jacksonville Jaguars
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
13. Washington Commanders
Aug 11, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Jahan Dotson (1) celebrates with wide receiver Dyami Brown (2) and running back Brian Robinson Jr. (8) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
12. Green Bay Packers
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 13: Josh Jacobs #28 of the Las Vegas Raiders runs with the ball prior to being tackled by Stephon Gilmore #5 of the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter of the game at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
11. Pittsburgh Steelers
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 16: Najee Harris #22 of the Pittsburgh Steelers runs the ball during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 16, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
10. New Orleans Saints
(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
9. Miami Dolphins
Jan 8, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (31) celebrates gaining yardage against the New York Jets during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
8. Indianapolis Colts
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
7. Baltimore Ravens
Oct 1, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
6. Philadelphia Eagles
Dec 23, 2018; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) makes score a touchdown during the first half against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar via USA TODAY NETWORK
5. New York Jets
Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets running back Breece Hall (20) carries the ball as Atlanta Falcons linebacker Bud Dupree (48) pursues during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
4. Seattle Seahawks
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 18: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during warmups before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium on September 18, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
3. Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
2. Detroit Lions
Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates after scoring a touchdown San Francisco 49ers during the first half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
1. San Francisco 49ers
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball against Kansas City Chiefs safety Mike Edwards (21) during overtime of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
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