As the NFL rolls out its top 100 players for the 2026 season, Jonathan Taylor has landed at No. 17 - and the respect from around the league is coming in loud and clear.
The Colts running back keeps drawing the same kind of praise from teammates and opponents alike: explosive, hard to corral, and dangerous every time he touches the ball. Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty summed up the challenge with a simple scouting report: "Great contact balance," said Raiders ' running back Ashton Jeanty.
"Able to make guys miss. He's pretty fast out there too."
That reputation is built on production, and Taylor has backed it up year after year. He played in 13 games in 2024 and all 17 games last season, piling up 1,431 rushing yards and 1,585 rushing yards, respectively. He also led the NFL in rushing touchdowns last season and was tied for third in rushes of 10-plus yards, per PFF.
Inside the Colts building, the belief is even stronger. Tight end Mo Alie-Cox didn’t hesitate to label him "Electric," adding, "There's not a lot of guys that every time they get the ball I think they're going to score, but JT is definitely one of those guys. If he gets to that second level, good luck."
That same fear factor shows up from the other sideline too. Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin put it bluntly: "You gotta get him down," said linebacker Zaire Franklin. "Best back in the league, no question."
Texans defensive end Danielle Hunter described the way Taylor can flip a play in an instant: "There will be a pile and then boom -- dude explodes out of nowhere for like a 80 yard gain."
For Indianapolis, Taylor’s impact goes beyond the box score. His presence gives the Colts a run game that can shape the offense and open things up for Shane Steichen, while easing pressure on the passing attack. Alec Pierce said it best: "He's just the most explosive running back; you give him a little crease and boom -- he turns it into an 80-yarder."
The Colts recently locked Taylor in with a two-year contract extension worth $44 million, a deal that matches the way the league sees him: one of the most dangerous backs in football.
Trey Sermon pointed to the traits that make it all work: "His vision and his acceleration, how he sees the holes, the game develop, and then just able to take off from 0 to 100," said Trey Sermon.
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