![]() His hands are a concern, however, both in terms of fumbles - 18 on 968 touches at Wisconsin - and drops. Taylor even showed improvement as a receiver in 2019, and his balance and power through contact make him more than just a scheme-dependent weapon. That combination of size and speed allows him to bowl over defenders while also providing a home-run threat. Taylor is a premier physical specimen, running a 4.39 40 at the combine at a rock-solid 226 pounds. The latest in a long line of Wisconsin RBs with impressive college resumes, Taylor was the second player in FBS history to post consecutive 2,000-yard rushing seasons (after Iowa State's Troy Davis) and the second to win consecutive Doak Walker awards (after Darren McFadden). He hasn't yet reached his ceiling, and more work at the goal line (he barely saw half of the Colts' red-zone carries, a rate well behind the likes of Josh Jacobs or Ezekiel Elliott) could push his production into the stratosphere. Mack also signed a one-year deal to return and provide some insurance, but after the way Taylor closed out 2020, it's hard to see him working in any kind of committee. Taylor isn't a natural pass catcher, but he's adequate in that area, and with Nyheim Hines on the roster he won't have to handle the bulk of those duties. The 22-year-old has an enviable blend of power, speed and agility, and he showed good patience in waiting for Indy's elite offensive line to open holes that would allow him to explode into the second level. Over his final six regular-season games, Taylor amassed 741 rushing yards and seven TDs, including a mammoth 253 yards and two scores in Week 17 to help the Colts lock up a playoff spot. Between Weeks 3 and 10, he failed to top 68 yards as he adjusted to the NFL, but down the stretch Taylor broke through and became the player Indianapolis thought it was drafting in the second round. When Marlon Mack ruptured his Achilles in Week 1 it was assumed Taylor would immediately erupt, and while the rookie did post his first 100-yard rushing game in Week 2, it took him a while to get going after that. Expect Taylor to see big volume again in 2022 and consistently burn defenders with those touches. Indianapolis' elite offensive line showed a couple cracks in 2021, and some natural regression could be coming for Taylor's league-leading 89 red-zone carries (more than 40 ahead of second-place Austin Ekeler), but the addition of Matt Ryan to replace Carson Wentz at quarterback shouldn't change the focal point of Frank Reich's offense. In his skill set, it's that Taylor isn't a natural receiver out of the backfield, but the Colts have Nyheim Hines to handle those duties, and Taylor is still capable of contributing. Highlighted by his 2.6 yards per carry after contact, good for third in the league. Posted three of the five fastest top speeds recorded on touchdowns last year, including an NFL-īest 22.13 mph on a 67-yard scamper Week 15 against the Patriots. ![]() Taylor's the total package as a runner, showing power,Īgility, vision and speed, but it's the latter trait that puts him over the top among his peers. He won his first of potentially many rushing crowns,Īnd he nearly lapped the field doing it, as the 552-yard gap between Taylor and second-place Into 2021, and he exceeded them by a mile. After a solid rookie season that finished with a bang, expectations were high for Taylor coming
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