Assuming that the New York Giants are indeed open to acquiring Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, we imagine that Joe Schoen knows he’ll need to give up far more than a couple of Day 3 picks.
Trade talks surrounding Taylor continue to mount ahead of the Nov. 10 deadline, and he’s expected to suit up for Sunday’s game against Dallas. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Wednesday that the Colts might want “the equivalent” of a first-round pick, though other executives feel that’s a tad much; they instead value Taylor as being worth two draft picks, including a second-rounder.
“It feels like this one still has a decent chance to happen,” Fowler wrote, “but Indianapolis clearly doesn’t plan to give him away.”
Fowler added that Colts receiver Josh Downs — who recently requested a trade — and veteran tight end Mo Alie-Cox are also drawing interest leaguewide. We must note, though, that neither has been credibly linked to the Giants.
Should the New York Giants meet the Indianapolis Colts’ reported Jonathan Taylor asking price?
You might be thinking this is the same thing as asking whether the Giants should trade for Taylor, but there’s a key difference. Schoen, John Harbaugh, and ownership unanimously wanting the Wisconsin product doesn’t mean anything if they’re uncomfortable meeting those demands.
The Giants are on pace to pick No. 23 next spring, and the Colts’ first-rounder (currently No. 4) belongs to the Jets. Beggars can’t be choosers, right? Let’s also not forget that next year isn’t a loaded quarterback class, so the Colts — who already fired general manager Chris Ballard — shouldn’t be desperate to land a top-10 pick at all costs.
Taylor’s résumé speaks for itself, and he’s well on track for his fifth 1,000-yard season. He doesn’t turn 28 until January and is under contract through the end of next year. We’re personally not opposed to giving up a first-rounder for Taylor given the circumstances, especially with the Giants inching closer to an NFC East crown.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano said he expects the Giants to win the Taylor sweepstakes, though we’re objectively unsure that’ll be the case. Indianapolis might need to compromise its hopes of earning a first-rounder unless a team needing running back depth — the Broncos, maybe? — has no problems agreeing to those terms.
Graziano also floated the Ravens’ Derrick Henry as a possible trade option, though he did not specifically name the Giants as a suitor. The likely future Hall of Famer is intimately familiar with Harbaugh, having played for him and running backs coach Willie Taggart in Baltimore from 2024-25.
Add us as a preferred source on Google