Jonathan Taylor has been a revelation for the Indianapolis Colts, consistently delivering explosive performances that have made him one of the NFL's most dynamic running backs over the past five seasons. As we look at the Colts' 12 Most Important Players of 2026, Taylor lands at a well-deserved No. 3 spot, a testament to his impact on the field.
Reflecting on his 2025 season, Taylor arguably had the best year of his career, producing numbers that rank among the most prolific in Colts history. He led the league in carries with 323, turned 84 of those into rushing first downs, and crossed the goal line for 18 rushing touchdowns, adding up to a total of 20 touchdowns.
He was a workhorse, ranking second in touches with 369, and his 1,585 rushing yards placed him third in the NFL. In terms of total yards from scrimmage, he amassed 1,963, showcasing his dual-threat capability.
Taylor also contributed significantly in the passing game, ranking eighth among running backs with 15 receiving first downs and maintaining a solid 4.9 yards per carry, tying him for 10th in the league.
Taylor's excellence isn't a flash in the pan; it's a pattern. Since being drafted in 2020, he's been a consistent force when healthy, setting the Colts' single-game rushing record as a rookie with 253 yards and breaking the single-season rushing record the following year with 1,811 yards. By the end of 2025, he had notched the fourth-most rushing yards in a single season in franchise history and became the Colts' all-time leader in career rushing touchdowns with 69.
His explosive playmaking ability is well-documented. According to Pro Football Focus, Taylor ranks fifth in explosive plays over the past five years, defined as a 10-yard rush or a 15-yard reception, with 181 such plays.
This includes 161 explosive rushes and 20 explosive catches. His knack for slipping tackles is a key part of his game, having forced 238 missed tackles since 2021, which ranks him fourth among his peers.
In 2025 alone, he evaded 67 would-be tacklers, ranking third in the league.
Despite his power-back frame at 5'10" and 226 pounds, Taylor possesses track-star speed, averaging 33.2 runs of 10-plus yards per season over his six-year career. Remarkably, he's achieved this while playing only two full seasons, underscoring his explosive potential.
Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter has praised Taylor's ability to turn consistent runs into big plays, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for Taylor to showcase his special abilities once he finds open space. With such a potent combination of power and speed, Taylor remains a cornerstone of the Colts' offensive strategy, and his big-play potential is something defenses across the league are all too familiar with.
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