5 potential landing spots for Taylor

The Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor might be heading toward a split now that the star running back can reportedly seek a trade.

Taylor is just 24 years old and one year removed from a first-team All-Pro nod, but he also finished the 2022 campaign on injured reserve due to an ankle injury. Whichever team acquires Taylor will need to be OK with his medical status, as the Colts are asking for a first-round pick or a package equivalent to one in return, a source told ESPN's Stephen Holder.

Here's a look at five teams that could take a swing to acquire the explosive playmaker:

Miami Dolphins Wesley Hitt / Getty Images Sport / Getty

There might not be a better match than Miami when you consider scheme fit and team need. Taylor would fit in perfectly with coach Mike McDaniel's wide zone scheme, and his elite speed would mesh perfectly with the team's other explosive weapons. Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and rookie De'Von Achane would fill complementary roles behind Taylor.

The Dolphins showed a willingness to trade away premier picks for offensive weapons when they acquired Tyreek Hill ahead of the 2022 campaign, and the immediate returns were excellent as Hill topped 1,700 yards and scored eight touchdowns.

Miami's main roadblock is its projected cap situation. Taylor's on the last year of his rookie deal and will be looking for an extension, but the Dolphins are projected to be $32 million over next year's salary cap, per Over the Cap. General manager Chris Grier would likely need to restructure some contracts and extend other key players to create the necessary room.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have franchise quarterback Jalen Hurts locked up for the foreseeable future, an excellent offensive line, and are slated to have about $47 million in cap space in 2024, according to Over the Cap. Those are all of the necessary ingredients for a great fit, and the team is in the middle of a Super Bowl window.

General manager Howie Roseman may not be willing to give up the capital required to acquire Taylor with the Colts' current asking price. But if that price goes down, Philadelphia could pull the trigger to bolster a running game that was fifth in yards per contest (147.6) in 2022, with Miles Sanders leading the way. The Eagles own the New Orleans Saints' second-round pick in next year's draft, which could play a factor.

Sanders departed for the Carolina Panthers in free agency and was replaced with Rashaad Penny and D'Andre Swift, both of whom have dealt with injury struggles in their careers. If Indy is willing to take a Day 2 draft pick and one of those two runners, we could see Taylor taking handoffs in the City of Brotherly Love.

Chicago Bears Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

Chicago's a bit of a dark-horse candidate after finishing with the worst record in the NFL a year ago, but this team is committed to running the ball, and Taylor would upgrade its biggest strength. The Bears led the league in rushing yards per contest a season ago with 177.3, in large part due to quarterback Justin Fields' explosiveness.

Taylor would offer an instant boost to the team's backfield talent. The Bears are projected to use some combination of D'Onta Foreman, Khalil Herbert, and rookie Roschon Johnson to handle the bulk of their running back touches this year. Foreman's never reached 1,000 yards from scrimmage, and Herbert's career high is 788. Taylor's totals through three seasons are 1,468 in 15 games in 2020, a league-best 2,171 in 17 games in 2021, and 1,004 in 11 contests a year ago.

The Bears have the requisite salary cap room and draft ammo to make the move, too. They're scheduled to have almost $86 million in cap space next year, according to Over the Cap, and have both their own and the Panthers' first-round pick in the 2024 draft.

Kansas City Chiefs

Defensive coordinators around the NFL would suffer many sleepless nights if Taylor made his way to Kansas City. The Chiefs haven't ranked worse than sixth in points per game since Patrick Mahomes took over the starting job in 2018. Adding Taylor to a backfield that already includes 2022 breakout runner Isiah Pacheco, third-down back Jerick McKinnon, and 2020 first-rounder Clyde Edwards-Helaire would all but guarantee that streak continues.

This move would take some salary cap gymnastics to accomplish, as Kansas City has just under $750,000 in cap space for 2023, according to Over the Cap. However, the team is projected to have a healthy $52 million to play with in 2024. General manager Brett Veach traded for Kadarius Toney last year, albeit for far less than a first-round pick, so he could be willing to make an offer if the Colts' asking price comes down.

Another, arguably more important, roadblock is Chris Jones' lack of an extension. The All-Pro defensive tackle has held out of offseason activities thus far as he looks to secure a contract commensurate with the upper echelon of interior defensive linemen. Veach and the Chiefs could prioritize getting an extension done with Jones before trying to acquire Taylor.

Los Angeles Rams Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Like the Dolphins, Taylor is a seemingly perfect fit in Sean McVay's offensive scheme. Taylor's vision and speed could also help make up for the team's lackluster offensive line as the Rams look to retool and make their way back to the playoffs.

The team's 5-12 finish a year ago was disappointing after winning Super Bowl LVI the year prior. Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, and Aaron Donald all missed significant time a year ago but are expected to be healthy and ready to go for the 2023 campaign. Adding Taylor to that group would give the Rams an excellent core.

General manager Les Snead has proven his willingness to trade away picks for superstars in the past, and doing so for Taylor would provide a massive upgrade. Los Angeles' backfield is currently comprised of Cam Akers, who has flashed potential when healthy, Kyren Williams, and rookie Zach Evans. With about $47 million in 2024 cap space, per Over the Cap, the Rams could acquire and extend Taylor for the foreseeable future.

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