Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan Taylor enters the 2025 fantasy football season as a strong RB1 candidate, coming off a solid 2024 campaign where he posted 1,431 rushing yards despite missing three games due to a high ankle sprain. He displayed impressive consistency in the latter part of last year’s season, especially in the final three games where he rushed for 520 yards and six touchdowns, demonstrating his ability to carry a heavy workload at a high level. This late-season dominance suggests that if Taylor can stay healthy, he has the volume and talent to be among the league's top fantasy backs again in 2025.

One of the key factors shaping Taylor’s 2025 outlook is the quarterback situation in Indianapolis. Anthony Richardson appears to be losing his starting role, with Daniel Jones poised to take over and influence the Colts’ offensive approach. Jones’s style as a dual-threat QB who doesn’t typically run the ball himself near the goal line means more touchdown opportunities for Taylor, particularly as Jones commands defensive attention. This shift should raise Taylor’s floor and add to his touchdown upside, even if his role in the passing game remains limited, as evidenced by his low target share and receptions last season.

While Taylor is comfortably the lead back in Indianapolis—with rookie DJ Giddens providing a change-of-pace option rather than a threat to his touches—there are some concerns that temper his ceiling. His limited involvement in the passing game could cap his total fantasy production in certain matchups, and quarterback play remains a bit of a wild card for the Colts’ offense overall. Still, Taylor’s workhorse status offers a dependable baseline of rushing yards and scoring chances, making him a fundamentally sound RB1 pick despite some questions about upside in a more pass-oriented offense.

In fantasy drafts, Taylor is generally being taken in the early to mid-second round, reflecting both respect for his proven talent and caution about injury history and situational factors. Close watchers see value in drafting him earlier than current ADP because of his expected volume, especially if the Colts maintain the same commitment to the run game that powered Taylor’s strong finish last season. If he can avoid injury and continue to receive a full workload, Jonathan Taylor should remain a bellcow back capable of delivering elite-level fantasy production in 2025.

Updated 08/23/2025