Jonathan Taylor made his professional debut on Sunday. While he did not light up the stat sheet in Week 1, the rest of the season looks promising for the rookie.
Taylor ended the day with 22 yards rushing on nine attempts. However, he added 67 yards on six receptions. As a result, the rookie RB produced nearly 15 fantasy points on 15 touches in Week 1.
While Nyheim Hines was also involved in the Colts’ offense, his body is not built to take on the toll of an entire season. As the season progresses, Hines will slowly take a step back and yield work to the second-rounder.
It is a promising outlook given that Taylor was seemingly going to be part of a committee this season. With Marlon Mack going down, that will likely project Jonathan Taylor as the primary rusher in Indianapolis.
Jonathan Taylor is a bruiser. He will lead the team in carries and yards. However, his actual value stems from the passing game. Taylor hauled in six receptions against a defense that is going to be among the weakest this season. With Phillip Rivers under center, those check down targets will only increase when the defenses get more vigorous.
Rivers’ performance against a depleted Jacksonville Jaguars’ squad was pitiful. The terrible offensive line masked some of his mistakes. His decision-making and execution are not there anymore. The best asset for a weak QB is a strong runner who can bail him out through the air as well. Taylor fits the mold.
If you were wise and ignored Trey Daubert’s advice from two weeks ago, then Jonathan Taylor is already on your team. If not, get him this week.
