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The Denver Broncos have a winning record and a running game that threatens to undermine it. Acquiring Jonathan Taylor before the November 10 NFL trade deadline would give Sean Payton a proven centerpiece, but the Indianapolis Colts need a compelling reason to surrender theirs.
The Broncos should offer J.K. Dobbins, their 2027 second-round pick and their 2028 third-round pick for Taylor. This hypothetical package gives the Colts two draft selections and an experienced replacement while allowing the Broncos to protect their first-round capital.
An agreement depends on the Colts entertaining offers. Taylor’s recent extension and the organization’s continued commitment to winning make a substantial return essential to this proposal.
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Why Taylor fits the Broncos
Through six games, the Broncos have averaged 84.2 rushing yards and 3.4 yards per carry. Their longest run has covered 17 yards. A 4-2 start should encourage Denver to improve an offense that has struggled to generate production on the ground.
Taylor offers an answer. He rushed for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2025, then opened this season with 492 rushing yards and seven touchdowns across six appearances. His 15 receptions for 163 yards also give Payton another way to involve him when defenses crowd the line.
A more threatening rushing attack could create manageable third downs for Bo Nix and make play-action more effective. Taylor would give the Broncos a back capable of carrying a substantial workload without requiring Payton to abandon his existing personnel or passing concepts.
Still, Taylor would not automatically repair missed blocks or inconsistent quarterback execution. He is averaging four yards per carry. The Broncos would be paying for his established production and upside, with responsibility remaining on the coaching staff to create better opportunities.
Rookie Jonah Coleman returned to practice Wednesday after the Broncos designated him for return from injured reserve. His potential availability strengthens the case for keeping him as developmental depth rather than including him in a trade.
Why the Colts should consider the Broncos’ offer
The Colts fell to 2-4 before dismissing general manager Chris Ballard on Monday. That change warrants evaluating expensive veterans, although ownership has explicitly maintained its expectation that the team compete and win this season.
Dobbins helps reconcile those priorities. He has 270 rushing yards this season after producing 772 in 10 games last year. Under contract through 2027, he would provide an immediate backfield option while the Colts assessed their longer-term needs.
The draft compensation supplies the stronger incentive. A second-round selection offers access to a potential starter, while the following year’s third-rounder gives the next personnel leadership another asset. Spreading the picks across two drafts also preserves the Broncos’ ability to address other needs next spring.
Taylor’s August extension added two years and $44 million, keeping him under contract through 2028. The Colts would be surrendering control of an accomplished player, so a bargain offer built around late-round picks would miss the point.
The finances are workable, but neither team escapes its accounting. The Broncos would assume Taylor’s remaining salary and applicable bonuses while transferring Dobbins’ remaining salary obligations. Each team would retain cap responsibility for its own existing signing bonuses.
A deadline deal would leave the Broncos responsible for the remaining portion of Taylor’s $6.98 million 2026 base salary. Moving Dobbins would offset part of that expense, making the immediate cap burden manageable.
The Broncos would inherit $34 million in scheduled compensation across 2027 and 2028 before incentives, making this more than a postseason rental. The Colts would retain $10 million in signing-bonus proration as 2027 dead money after a deadline trade, reinforcing the need for meaningful draft compensation.
For the Broncos, two Day 2 picks and Dobbins should represent the ceiling. For Indianapolis, the return offers present backfield continuity and future roster flexibility. If the Colts become willing sellers, this is an offer that respects Taylor’s value without sacrificing the Broncos’ entire draft strategy.
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