Three-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Taylor has been linked with an exit from Indianapolis after the Colts traded away guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday. The running back is one of the Colts’ most prized assets remaining on the roster and will attract plenty of attention ahead of the November 10 trade deadline.

On Thursday, analyst Colin Cowherd urged the New York Giants to stake their claim for Taylor despite having running back Cam Skattebo on their roster.

Colin Cowherd Urges Giants To Acquire Jonathan Taylor

During Thursday’s segment of “The Herd,” Cowherd detailed why the Giants needed to take advantage of the relative weakness of the NFC East to sign the game-changing Taylor.

“Skattebo is a two (RB2). He’s a hammer, but he’s a two,” Cowherd said. “And again, Philadelphia is potentially gonna make a move next year and have a better coaching staff, same with Dallas (Cowboys). Hey Giants, this is the first year with (John) Harbaugh. You didn’t see yourself as a dominant team (in) Year 1; strike when the iron’s hot. The Eagles and the Cowboys and Washington are all very, very vulnerable.

“Skattebo is a great player, but he’s a battering ram. The chances of him playing every game of every NFL season are I think very rare. I mean, he just got benched for fumbles; that’s a secondary issue, but I’m telling you right now, I know who would vote for it in New York: John Harbaugh and J.J. McCarthy. And by the way, Jaxson Dart, if you could have Skattebo and Jonathan Taylor…”

Taylor had another barnstorming season last year, tallying 1,585 rushing yards and 18 scores on 323 carries, adding 378 receiving yards and two scores for the Colts, earning the league’s best PFN Running Back Impact score of 89.1.

Taylor led the league in rushing attempts and touchdowns, establishing himself among the NFL’s elite running backs.

The former Wisconsin Badgers standout, who was selected No. 41 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, has been one of the league’s most consistent running backs, earning one First-team All-Pro selection and three Pro Bowl nods. He signed a new two-year, $44 million contract extension with the Colts in August and is the third-highest-earning running back in the NFL.

This season, Taylor has accumulated 587 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns on 140 carries for the Colts, earning a PFN Running Back Impact score of 81.4 (No. 10 in the NFL).

On the other hand, Skattebo has carved a niche for himself as one of the most aggressive running backs in the league since being selected No. 105 by the Giants in the 2025 NFL Draft.

This season, Skattebo was benched in Week 6 after fumbling four times over the first five games, but he responded with 124 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Houston Texans in Week 7. Skattebo has tallied 418 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 98 carries for the Giants, earning a PFN RB Impact score of 73.4 (No. 24 in the NFL).

Trading for Taylor would come at a significant cost, especially given that Indianapolis is reportedly seeking premium draft capital. But if the Giants are willing to make that investment, pairing Taylor with Skattebo and Dart or McCarthy could give their offense another dimension.

In a vulnerable NFC East, that kind of move could strengthen New York’s push for the division and give the Giants a chance to make noise in the playoffs.