The Indianapolis Colts’ backfield presents one of the most intriguing fantasy football scenarios heading into the 2025 season, with star running back Jonathan Taylor once again positioned as a potential league winner despite ongoing questions surrounding the team’s quarterback situation.
Taylor’s remarkable ability to deliver RB1 production even with one of the NFL’s most inconsistent passing attacks makes him a compelling target for fantasy managers willing to bet on elite talent overcoming circumstance.
Meanwhile, rookie DJ Giddens lurks as one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy football, offering legitimate upside should Taylor’s injury history repeat itself. This comprehensive analysis breaks down both players’ outlooks and what fantasy managers need to know before making their draft-day decisions.
Jonathan Taylor Fantasy Outlook
The fact that Taylor produced a top-12 running back season in the Colts’ offense last year speaks volumes. Taylor was, by far, the most notable threat on his team, as Indianapolis’ quarterbacks averaged the lowest completion percentage in the league between them.
In fairness to Joe Flacco, his numbers alone were decent enough. But Anthony Richardson’s 47.7% completion percentage, eight touchdowns, and 12 interceptions have left him backing up Daniel Jones heading into 2025.
Y’all seem to be forgetting the last time Jonathan Taylor played a full season he was the RB1.
🔵 1,811 Rushing Yards
⚪️ 360 Receiving Yards
🔵 20 Touchdowns
pic.twitter.com/ijEANI7hdI— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) July 29, 2024
The former Florida quarterback was expected to be a positive for Taylor, as mobile QBs often are for their running backs. However, Richardson’s injury troubles and inability to consistently find his teammates have left the offense in a constant state of uncertainty.
It’s likely to be a similar story this coming year, with Jones replacing Flacco as the veteran in the room and taking the starting role for at least Week 1. Regardless of who’s under center, though, Taylor’s elite usage should see him continue to produce for fantasy managers.
Injuries have been an issue; Taylor’s three missed games last year were actually a significant improvement on the seven and six games he missed in the two previous seasons, respectively. When healthy, though, Taylor is one of the dark horses for RB1 overall, but the Colts’ offense will likely need to find some consistency for that to happen.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
DJ Giddens Fantasy Outlook
Giddens could be a steal in fantasy drafts this year, if he’s even drafted. Currently listed outside the top 65 running backs in ADP, Giddens is the likely backup to Jonathan Taylor, who has missed time in three straight seasons. There is no doubting Taylor’s dominance of the Colts’ running back position when healthy; he saw over 300 rushing opportunities for the second time in his career last year. Giddens will see the field at some point, though, and doesn’t come without his own pedigree.
The rookie declared for the NFL Draft after just three years at Kansas State, having averaged at least 5.5 yards per carry in all three years. After topping 1,200 rushing yards in 2023, he topped 1,300 in 2024 and tallied 581 receiving yards over those two seasons. A fifth-round pick, Giddens saw over 200 rush attempts in each of his last two years in college, proving he can handle a workhorse role.
If Taylor were to miss time in 2025, Giddens could take on a larger workload than previous Colts backups, who have typically shared work in Taylor’s absence. Overall, the rookie is a pure handcuff in 2025 and will likely be irrelevant without an injury to Taylor. However, those drafting the Colts starter could be inclined to add the rookie late in drafts to avoid a potential mid-season bidding war on the waiver wire.
— Cameron Sheath, Fantasy Football Analyst
