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Adding to the running back position should still be on the Indianapolis Colts' radar going into the 2025 NFL draft.
For one, this year's draft class at that position is loaded with talent, so chances are at various points throughout the draft, a player near the top of the Colts' big board very well could be a running back, not to mention that adding high-end talent is always a good thing.
For some context, ESPN's Jordan Reid has over 30 backs with draftable grades. That's like having two draft classes in one.
As GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL combine, the Colts could use more production from their backup running backs in 2025. Combined last season, Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon would carry the ball just 88 times, and that was with Jonathan Taylor missing three games.
With that said, while there is always going to have to be a certain prerequisite that a running back must meet as a ball carrier, adding a pass-catching presence out of the backfield would give the Colts another dimension that this offense didn't really have last season and would be something else that defenses have to account for.
Taylor would rank 50th out of 58 backs, according to PFF, with 136 receiving yards. In terms of targets, he ranked 37th.
So if the Colts not only want to add to running back, but also address this specific skill set, who are some of the more productive pass-catching backs in this year's draft?
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts NFL draft: Most productive pass-catching running backs
Continue reading...
For one, this year's draft class at that position is loaded with talent, so chances are at various points throughout the draft, a player near the top of the Colts' big board very well could be a running back, not to mention that adding high-end talent is always a good thing.
For some context, ESPN's Jordan Reid has over 30 backs with draftable grades. That's like having two draft classes in one.
As GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL combine, the Colts could use more production from their backup running backs in 2025. Combined last season, Tyler Goodson and Trey Sermon would carry the ball just 88 times, and that was with Jonathan Taylor missing three games.
With that said, while there is always going to have to be a certain prerequisite that a running back must meet as a ball carrier, adding a pass-catching presence out of the backfield would give the Colts another dimension that this offense didn't really have last season and would be something else that defenses have to account for.
Taylor would rank 50th out of 58 backs, according to PFF, with 136 receiving yards. In terms of targets, he ranked 37th.
So if the Colts not only want to add to running back, but also address this specific skill set, who are some of the more productive pass-catching backs in this year's draft?
Most targets in 2024
- LeQuint Allen, Syracuse (78)
- Mario Anderson Jr., Memphis (59)
- Jaydon Blue, Texas (58)
- Elijah Young, Western Kentucky (56)
- Woody Marks, USC (54)
Most receiving yards in 2024
- Cam Skattebo, Arizona State (543)
- LeQuint Allen, Syracuse (529)
- Omarion Hampton, North Carolina (373)
- Elijah Young, Western Kentucky (373)
- Jaydon Blue, Texas (365)
Yards per catch in 2024
- Treshaun Ward, Boston College (17.9)
- Cade Harris, Air Force (15.8)
- RJ Harvey, UCF (13.4)
- Tre Stewart, Jacksonville State (12.9)
- DJ Giddens, Kansas State (12.9)
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts NFL draft: Most productive pass-catching running backs
Continue reading...
