Could Jonathan Taylor Become the Greatest Running Back in Colts History?
Could Jonathan Taylor ultimately be remembered as the best running back in Indianapolis Colts history? It’s a high bar to clear—but he has the talent to make a serious run at it.
Drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Taylor has proven to be one of general manager Chris Ballard’s most impactful selections.
Taylor burst onto the scene with 1,169 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie. He followed that with a dominant 2021 campaign, leading the NFL in both rushing yards (1,811) and rushing touchdowns (18). That season earned him First-Team All-Pro honors and a runner-up finish for Offensive Player of the Year. He continued his strong play the following year with 1,431 yards and a Pro Bowl selection.
Incredibly, Taylor has averaged at least 100 rushing yards per game in two of his first five seasons—a feat matched only by Hall of Famers Jim Brown and Eric Dickerson.
Though he’s still early in his career, Taylor has already etched his name into Colts lore. Whether he can rise to the top of the franchise’s all-time greats at the position remains to be seen—but he’s well on his way.
Will Jonathan Taylor Become the Indianapolis Colts’ Greatest Running Back of All Time?
Who Are the Greatest Running Backs in Colts History?
The Colts have long been associated with legendary quarterbacks—Johnny Unitas, Peyton Manning, and Andrew Luck, to name a few. But their history at running back is equally impressive, featuring some of the most dynamic rushers the league has ever seen. Among them: Edgerrin James, Marshall Faulk, Lydell Mitchell, and Eric Dickerson. And now, Jonathan Taylor is making his case to join—and potentially top—that elite list.
Edgerrin James, a first-round pick in 1999, spent seven seasons in Indianapolis and remains the gold standard at the position. A three-time First-Team All-Pro, James led the NFL in rushing twice, including as a rookie. He holds the franchise records for career rushing yards (9,226) and rushing touchdowns (64).
Marshall Faulk may be better known for his MVP and Super Bowl success with the St. Louis Rams, but his early years with the Colts were stellar. He topped 1,000 rushing yards in four of his five seasons in Indianapolis and was one of the NFL’s most complete backs even before joining the “Greatest Show on Turf.”
Eric Dickerson, like Faulk, is mostly remembered as a Ram, but he still made a mark in Indy. Despite playing just nine games in his first season with the Colts (1987), Dickerson topped 1,000 yards and made two Pro Bowl appearances during his time with the team.
Then there’s Lydell Mitchell, who starred for the Baltimore Colts in the 1970s. A true dual-threat back, Mitchell led the league in receptions twice and currently ranks third in franchise history with 5,487 rushing yards.
Can Taylor Do It?
For now, Edgerrin James still holds the title of the Colts’ greatest running back. But Jonathan Taylor is gaining ground—and fast. With 6,013 rushing yards to his name, Taylor already ranks second on the franchise’s all-time rushing list. He needs just 3,214 more yards to surpass James.
To reach that milestone, Taylor must do two things: stay healthy and stay in Indianapolis. Injuries have limited him recently—he’s played more than 12 games in only one of the past three seasons. But when he’s on the field, few backs in the league can match his production.
If he can return to form and maintain his role with the Colts in the coming years, Taylor has a realistic shot at becoming the team’s all-time leading rusher—and perhaps its greatest back ever. The talent is undeniable. Now, it’s just a matter of time and durability.
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