The Indianapolis Colts have already sent a clear message to the rest of the NFL by trading away left guard Quenton Nelson and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner: The phone lines are open.
As speculation runs rampant about which player(s) could be next, a couple of names popping up consistently are wide receiver Josh Downs and running back Jonathan Taylor.
With all due respect to Downs, Taylor is possibly the biggest name that could be on the move before the deadline. The Colts put it out there early in the week that they don't plan on trading Taylor, but time will tell how truthful they're being about that.
The trades of Nelson and Buckner have put the Colts in a bit of a sticky situation heading into Week 8 action.
Colts have a major Jonathan Taylor dilemma after early trades
Because of the trades involving Nelson and Buckner (not to mention, the firing of GM Chris Ballard), the Colts have already proven to the rest of the NFL that they are putting one eye on the future. They're trying to pile up NFL Draft capital, especially without a 1st-round pick thanks to last year's Sauce Gardner trade.
They don't have to trade Jonathan Taylor if they don't want to, but if they are planning on it, they might have to hold Taylor out of action to preserve his value.
It was pointed out initially by Pro Football Talk, but it's a great point to bring up.
Let's say a team offers the Colts a 3rd-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft going into this weekend. The Colts would have to decide whether it's worth it to let Taylor play in Jacksonville, risking injury and the likelihood of a deal falling through.
Of course, that's assuming that teams have already made preliminary offers for Taylor. And the Colts should be holding out for the most they can possibly get for him, but holding him out of the game this weekend could also be a risk of lowering his value, making it obvious that they plan on trading him.
On the other hand, holding Taylor out of Sunday's game against the Jaguars could also start a bidding war if teams know he's there for the taking. The Colts could always hold him out of a game or two, see if anyone offers something they like before the trade deadline, and then move forward one way or the other.
It's still a complicated situation, no matter which way you slice it. It doesn't mandate the Colts trade Taylor before Week 8, but it certainly thickens the plot.
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