(Photo: New York Times)
10. Jonathan Taylor: Last weekend, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Adam Vinatieri, and Roger Craig entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I always say that Enshrinement Weekend is the official kickoff to football season, and here we are! The preseason is here, teams are looking to finalize their rosters for the upcoming season, and I’m ready for it all. I also begin previewing games this month. But before the game previews, it’s time for another edition of “Best In The Business,” where I count down my ten best players in the NFL today. This year, offense once again dominates the list, and I kick off this edition with an offensive weapon in Indianapolis. He was an absolute stud in college and has continued that success in the NFL. Jonathan Taylor kicks off the 2026 edition of “Best In The Business.” He’s my tenth-best player and fourth-ranked running back entering the upcoming season.
I remember watching Jonathan during his college days with the Wisconsin Badgers and seeing just how dominant he was. He left college as the sixth-leading rusher in FBS history and became the first player ever to rush for 6,000 yards over a three-year span. The Colts selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft with the 41st overall pick, and by just his second NFL season, he led the league in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. When I watch Jonathan I see a complete runner. He’ll run through defenders to pick up tough yards, but he’s also incredibly patient, allowing his blocks to develop before bursting through the hole and quickly reaching the second and third levels of the defense. Let’s talk about the physicality he brings to the table. Jonathan consistently falls forward and finishes runs with authority. He’s comfortable running between the tackles, which is becoming rarer in today’s NFL, but he also has the agility to bounce outside when defenses overcommit to stopping the run. He’s powerful, possesses outstanding contact balance, and consistently generates extra yardage after contact. Now let’s talk about his breakaway speed. Once he reaches the second level of the defense, his track background becomes obvious. His home-run ability forces defenses to adjust, often keeping safeties closer to the line of scrimmage than they’d prefer. Jonathan is one of the league’s most gifted pure runners because of the combination of vision, burst, power, and speed he brings to every carry. When he gets rolling, what looks like a routine five-yard gain can quickly turn into a 50-yard explosive play—or six points.
There has never been much question about Jonathan’s talent. The proof is on the film. If there’s been one concern throughout his career, it’s been his availability. When he’s healthy, Taylor has consistently produced at an All-Pro level. He is the focal point of the Colts’ offense, and his presence alone forces defenses to respect the running game. Last season, the Colts opened the year 8-1 through their first nine games, and 28 was a major reason why. He finished the season with 1,585 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, reminding everyone why he’s one of the most impactful running backs in football. When healthy, there aren’t many backs in the league who can match the impact Jonathan Taylor has on his team.
