Outlook at running back for Indianapolis Colts and top 2026 NFL draft prospects
Before training camp arrives and we fully turn our focus to the 2025 season for the Indianapolis Colts, let's take a brief look ahead to the 2026 NFL draft, specifically the running back position.
To do this, we will be taking a look at who the top prospects are within each position group and what potential need the Colts may have at these positions next offseason.
But first, our usual caveat here is that a lot will change between now and the NFL draft. Team needs will change based on how the 2025 season unfolds and what happens in free agency, while prospects will move up and down draft boards.
So, instead, use this as a guide for the upcoming college football season and which players to keep your eyes on.
What potential need at running back will the Colts have in 2026 NFL draft?
At this time, the need here is likely relatively low for the Colts. Jonathan Taylor will still be under contract for one more season, while the Colts also just drafted DJ Giddens.
So the team may not be looking for a starter for the 2026 season, but this may still end up being a position we see the Colts adding to in next year's draft.
For one, we don't know if Taylor will get a third contract with the Colts, so adding to the room next offseason could better position Indianapolis for the 2027 offseason if a change is made at that time. Also, bolstering the depth in 2026 is another reason to add to this position, with Khalil Herbert and Tyler Goodson both free agents.
I'll also point out that--and this isn't the expectation--but if things go sideways for the Colts this season, releasing Taylor next offseason saves the team $13 million in cap space, per Over the Cap, at which point, the need to address running back grows greatly.
Who are the top running back prospects in the 2026 NFL draft?
PFF's Trevor Sikkema recently ranked the top 10 running backs in the 2026 class. For more on each of these prospects, click here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
As Terry McLaurin shifts from holdout to hold-in, Commanders' roster designation gives a clue
ASHBURN, Va. — As the Washington Commanders kicked off their fourth practice of training camp, a familiar face was back in the building. Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin reported to training camp Saturday after skipping spring practices including mandatory minicamp and the first week of training camp. McLaurin did not return to practice Sunday, instead landing on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list with an ankle injury after his Saturday physical examination. 'I got a chance to sit [with him] yesterday, which I was glad,' head coach Dan Quinn told Yahoo Sports on Sunday. 'He was in a very strong head space. In a good way.' [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] McLaurin was holding out ahead of his seventh season in Washington, the final season remaining on his second career contract. Now, he's holding 'in' with what the Commanders are describing as rehabilitation for his ankle. McLaurin has caught 460 catches for 6,379 yards and 38 touchdowns since Washington selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He's coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, McLaurin finding the end zone 13 times on 82 catches for 1,096 yards during quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie season. Quinn said McLaurin's ankle bothered him at the end of last season, and it's 'not that uncommon' for an ankle injury to linger. But McLaurin's designation on the physically unable to perform list rather than injured reserve is notable — most particularly for the flexibility it provides. While PUP designation costs teams a roster spot that injured reserve players do not, the mechanism also allows players to return at any point. A player who receives a much-anticipated contract extension could, hypothetically, return to practice participation immediately afterward. 'You can come off any time,' Quinn said. 'There's not like, 'Hey you have to be on it for this amount of time.'' [Get more Commanders news: Washington team feed] McLaurin can attend meetings and work on rehabilitation exercises with strength and conditioning coaches or athletic trainers. He cannot work with coaches on the field, nor practice in walkthroughs, practices or any 'football activities.' But once he comes off PUP, he would be cleared to do anything. Any slower timeline would be by choice. 'Most times, teams [decide], 'OK, we're going to start on just individual and then go a little bit of team,'' Quinn said. 'So there's usually a self-imposed ramp up after you come off PUP. 'But there doesn't have to be.' How much might McLaurin command? McLaurin signed fan autographs Sunday despite not participating in practice. His take on the rehabilitation plan amid negotiations? 'It's tough,' McLaurin said. 'But it's the business right now, and just trying to take things day by day.' With one year left on his second career contract, McLaurin is due $19.65 million cash this year. He spoke recently about his frustration with the lack of an extension, particularly after McLaurin was a bright spot through five years of Washington football without a winning record. The receiver market has exploded in recent years, with the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase becoming the first receiver awarded a contract that reached $40 million per year in new money. The Minnesota Vikings gave Justin Jefferson a $35 million per year extension last offseason, just before the Dallas Cowboys awarded CeeDee Lamb $34 million per year. Jefferson's $110 million in guarantees topped the market, Chase's $109.8 million and Lamb's $100 million following suit. It's unlikely the Commanders view those three as realistic comparisons for McLaurin's next deal. While McLaurin has averaged 1,118 receiving yards per 17-game season (he joined the league in the good old days of 16), he's older and has been less prolific than the top-earning trio. McLaurin will turn 30 on Sept. 15; Chase is 25 this season while Lamb and Jefferson are 26. More reasonable comparisons begin with those of McLaurin's 2019 draft classmates, A.J. Brown and DK Metcalf. The Philadelphia Eagles awarded Brown a three-year extension worth $32 million per year with $90 million guaranteed, while the Pittsburgh Steelers acquired Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in conjunction with a three-year extension worth $32.99 million per year including $80 million in guarantees. The Eagles afforded that while paying quarterback Jalen Hurts, among other stars. The Steelers are getting somewhat of a discount from Aaron Rodgers' $10 million paycheck, but they just gave edge rusher T.J. Watt a record-setting contract worth $41 million per year. The Commanders don't have more than $26 million in salary cap space allocated to any player, thanks in part to Daniels' cost-effective rookie contract. McLaurin's agent, Buddy Baker, was at the Commanders' facility Sunday. Will an extension materialize from the visit? Quinn tried not to focus on the business nor the timelines Sunday, instead lauding the NFC championship berth roster's leading receiver as 'a serious competitor, but a pro's pro.' Quinn said he viewed the return to the facility, even if under restrictions, was encouraging. He said he does not resent McLaurin's business decisions. 'In that space, what I've learned is give people grace,' Quinn said. 'You don't know a coach, a player who's dealing with what how it's affected you. So my No. 1 goal is man, keep the main thing, the main thing between players and coaches. So it's tricky and it's hard.' Slightly less difficult after McLaurin's arrival in Ashburn. 'I'm really pumped that he's here, man,' Quinn said. 'He's such an awesome competitor. 'It was great to see him.'
USA Today
26 minutes ago
- USA Today
NC Central coach accuses Virginia Tech of tampering on team's sideline
North Carolina Central head coach Trei Oliver accused a Virginia Tech coach of tampering last season, and the Hokies are now looking into the matter. Oliver raised the accusation at a media event on July 25 when he was asked about his top "you got to be kidding me" story. The fifth-year coach said prior to the contest against Howard − the final home game of the season − he noticed a Virginia Tech staff member on his team's sideline. REQUIRED READING: Big Ten's rigged College Football Playoff plan shut down by SEC "Virginia Tech was actually on my sideline recruiting our running back," Oliver told said, according to WRAL News. The running back wasn't named, but Oliver said it was a player that ended up transferring to Virginia. J'Mari Taylor was the team's leading rusher in 2024 and is now with the Cavaliers. Oliver recalled assistant coaches were trying to calm him down about the situation but he was agitated by seeing the Virginia Tech staff member. In that game, Taylor ran for a season-high 206 yards and three touchdowns in a victory. After Oliver's comments, Virginia Tech released a statement that it reviewing the accusations. "This is the first time the issue has been brought to our attention, and no concern has previously been shared with us through any formal channel," the statement read. "Virginia Tech takes all NCAA rules seriously and is committed to conducting our program with integrity. We are reviewing the matter internally and will address any findings appropriately." After the alleged incident, Oliver was glad to see his player not end up with the Hokies, and hopes Virginia "kick Virginia Tech's butt." Taylor is expected to have a major role in Virginia's offense. The annual "Commonwealth Clash" between the Cavaliers and Hokies will take place in the 2025 season finale on Nov. 29 in Charlottesville.
USA Today
26 minutes ago
- USA Today
Jeremiah Trotter Jr views pressure as a route to new opportunities with the Eagles
New responsibilities and Eagles injuries could crack the door for Jeremiah Trotter. We're entering year two of our discussions about nepotism and the Philadelphia Eagles' roster. Earlier this offseason, it was reported that there might be team interest in Asante Samuel Jr., but so far, the rumors have not led to any real action. That said, it seems more constructive to discuss a franchise legend's son who is already on the roster. It feels damn good to see the number 54 jersey on defense and know it belongs to Jeremiah Trotter Jr. This is Junior Axe Man. To most, he needs no introduction. His father was a big deal in midnight green. How fitting is it that his young lad was a proud member of Philadelphia's 2024 NFL Draft class? Some of us met him when we saw Dad holding him in his arms. The rest of the contingent may have met him during a successful run with the Clemson Tigers. Trotter Jr. enters his second Eagles training camp. Things seem to be going well. He appears to be making progress and has taken on a new responsibility that should provide him with more experience. That should benefit him as he walks into another regular season. There is also the injury to Nakobe Dean. He opens camp on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list. After spending most of his rookie season contributing primarily on special teams, Trotter could see more meaningful snaps during games that count, but no one knows what that may look like at this point. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. adds to his palette at Eagles practice Jeremiah Trotter Sr. never won a Super Bowl with the Birds, though he did secure preferred seating at both victory parades. The younger Jeremiah Trotter won football's biggest game during his inaugural NFL season. He played primarily on special teams. One of the questions now is whether he will do so again this season. Most expected that, when he was drafted, 'Junior' would back up Nakobe Dean. No one expected, at that time, that Zack Baun would morph into a First-Team All-Pro. Thank Heaven that he did. It's always great to have as many great players on the roster as possible, but that shoved Trot Jr. further down the depth chart. Then came the selection of Jihaad Campbell during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. That seemingly clouded Trotter's picture even further. It would have seen that he would have tumbled down the depth chart had it not been for injury concerns surrounding Campbell and Dean entering Eagles training camp. Everyone has been in the mix. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has added to the mix of first- and second-year stars. Campbell has gotten snaps with the defense's first team. Trotter has been splitting play-calling duties with Zack Baun during training camp. Both may see significant roles. No one is 100% certain of what those roles are yet, not even Vic Fangio. Thankfully, none of us has to perform the balancing acts.
