Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor has cemented himself as the top-ranked running back for the 2022 fantasy football season. Based on his ADP in fantasy football drafts, he is likely the first pick in most 1QB leagues. A blend of vision, contact balance, home-run upside, and pass-catching prowess, Taylor’s fantasy outlook is as bright as any player in the NFL.
Jonathan Taylor’s fantasy outlook for 2022
In two NFL seasons, Taylor has established himself as the best RB in the league. His innate vision, speed, and receiving ability make him the complete package.
The RB1 of 2021, Taylor finished second only to Najee Harris (381) in touches with 372 (21.9 per game). Rushing a staggering 332 times, Taylor ran for 1,811 yards on the ground (5.5 ypc), clearing Nick Chubb at No. 2 by 552 yards. It was the second-most rushing yards in a single season behind only Derrick Henry in 2020 (2,027) since DeMarco Murray rushed for 1,845 yards in 2014. Where Taylor has both beat is his touchdowns, finding the end zone 18 times on the ground, the most since LeGarrette Blount in 2016 (18).
Taylor also got it done out of the backfield. His 51 targets ranked 22nd amongst RBs and second on his team behind Nyheim Hines (54). Catching 40 passes, Taylor recorded 360 yards (13th) with two additional touchdowns. All in all, Taylor finished averaging 21.9 PPR/game, second only to Henry (eight games) with 24.2 PPR/game.
The Colts are a team competing for the AFC South crown in 2022, and Taylor is at the center of their plans. He’s the heartbeat of this team and will be for fantasy managers as well. With fewer and fewer teams utilizing a singular workhorse back, it’s rare to see players get 15+ touches in a game, let alone do it with the efficiency Taylor brings. He’s not only my RB1 in dynasty but also for the 2022 fantasy season. If you have the 1.01, few players have both the floor and ceiling Taylor provides for your fantasy team.
How the Colts’ depth chart impacts Jonathan Taylor’s fantasy projection for the season
Despite what Taylor’s success will tell you, the Colts were hampered offensively, mainly coming due to the play of Carson Wentz. While Wentz did improve his turnover rate, going 27 to 7 in touchdowns to picks, the Colts lacked verticality. Wentz’s 3,563 yards were his most since 2019, but as a team, they were 26th in the league.
The Colts worked to address this in the offseason. Not only did they trade away Wentz, but they used one of the picks they acquired to get veteran Matt Ryan as their quarterback. Ryan should significantly boost the Colts’ passing attack as, despite his age (37), Ryan is still playing good football. Last season without Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, Ryan threw for just under 4,000 yards while being sacked 40 times.
Playing behind one of the better offensive lines in the NFL, Ryan should have more time to throw. Michael Pittman Jr. is a bona fide No. 1, and in Ryan’s history, his top receiver will get peppered with targets.
Beyond him, the Colts lack depth at receiver. With Zach Pascal — and potentially T.Y. Hilton — no longer on the team, the Colts used their first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Cincinnati WR Alec Pierce at pick No. 53. Pierce is a big-bodied receiver at 6’3″ and should be an explosive threat which the Colts need. There is hope Parris Campbell can stay healthy, but that’s something he’s yet to do in his career. Throw in Jack Doyle retiring, the Colts will rely on Mo Alie-Cox and rookie Jelani Woods at tight end.
Taylor is the driving force of the Colts’ offensive game plan in 2022
The Colts’ identity will be to establish the rushing attack and then use that to work the passing game. But at the end of the day, it all starts with Taylor.
Indy slowed it down in neutral situations, snapping the ball every 30.9 seconds (29th). When leading, it went to 31.6 seconds per snap. Despite the offenses’ additions with Ryan and Pierce, I don’t see a massive shift in their philosophy in 2022.
Barring injury, which is a caveat with all players, Taylor will be right up there with Henry for the league lead in touches and opportunities. Add in the stability of his role, and the offense, a defense that will keep the Colts in games, and a top-four schedule based on projected win totals, and Taylor should be a dominant force once again in 2022 for fantasy managers looking for a prized running back.
Taylor’s ADP for 2022
In a shocking twist to absolutely no one, Taylor is the consensus 1.01 across basically all ranks and ADPs. It was really just a formality after the season he had, as it seemed pretty evident that barring a season-ending injury, Taylor would be in this position.
Unless you have the first overall pick, your odds aren’t great to land Taylor. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen him go second but never third. He is the safest and easiest pick in fantasy football for 2022.
Even as a believer myself, I can only push Christian McCaffrey as high as No. 2. If both are at 100% health, McCaffrey does have the higher ceiling. He’s the closest we have seen to LaDanian Tomlinson and has averaged over 24 PPR/game over the last three years. But the inability to stay on the field during the previous two seasons lowers his floor to where this could be a deciding factor.
My advice for 2022 would be if you have a chance to draft Taylor, do it, and don’t look back. Let the managers behind you choose how they want to draft the likes of McCaffrey, Cooper Kupp, Justin Jefferson, Derrick Henry, Hajee Harris, and Austin Ekeler.