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    Colts RB coach wants less workload for Taylor

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    IND Running Back #28
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    Colts RBs coach DeAndre Smith said the team “definitely need to find ways to take some of that workload off” Jonathan Taylor.

    “If I can find another guy or two that can take some of those carries off, he’s just going to be that much better,” Smith continued. We’re not that concerned about this from a fantasy perspective because the Colts haven’t exactly invested in finding that player. “Obviously, he’s a hell of a player,” Colts coach Shane Steichen said. “It’s hard to take him off the field when he’s running so good.” Taylor should remain in the RB1 conversation this year, though it’s going to be harder to believe in him posting his early-season numbers if Daniel Jones’ Achilles injury limits him.
Which HC with a new team was most impressive?
Devin McCourty, Jason Garrett and Jac Collinsworth discuss the head coaches on new teams that had the most impressive performances in Week 1, breaking down how Joe Brady and Mike LaFleur had strong starts to the season.

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  • IND Running Back #28
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    Taylor felt like the lone bright spot on Sunday for a Colts offense that struggled for much of the game. Taylor struggled at times on the ground, with nine of his 19 carries going for three or fewer yards, but he also broke free for five carries of 10-plus yards, with his longest run coming on a 21-yard burst in the third quarter. Taylor got the scoring started for the Colts in the first quarter when he plunged into the end zone for a one-yard score to give them the early lead, and found the end zone again in the second quarter on a three-yard score. Taylor was the only Colts running back to see a rush attempt in this one, and he saw four of the five running back targets. He’ll be firmly on the RB1 radar in next week’s game against the Chiefs.
  • IND Running Back #28
    Taylor and GM Chris Ballard both talked about their desire to get a deal done earlier in training camp, and it didn’t take long for the two sides to reach an agreement. The deal includes $39 million guaranteed and has another $3 million for Taylor to earn via incentives. He was set to be a free agent next offseason but is now signed through the 2028 season. Taylor slowed down once Daniel Jones got injured last year. Even with the quiet finish, his season-long numbers look incredible. He ran for 1,585 yards and 18 touchdowns while setting career-highs in receptions (46) and receiving yards (378). Taylor is rightfully the fourth running back to be taken in most fantasy drafts this summer.
  • IND Running Back #28
    Taylor, who had been a rumored hold-in, has actually participated in camp — though he did take a rest day on Friday — and Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon said she would love it if Taylor “would be a Colt for life.” It seems like there’s positive momentum on an extension here, though it isn’t done just yet. Taylor is currently going off draft boards as RB4 and a top-10 pick.
  • IND Running Back #28
    Indianapolis Star’s Joel A. Erickson puts it this way: “the Colts also find themselves at a crossroads. Ballard is headed into the final year of his contract; if Indianapolis does not win, the Colts could be headed for organizational change. A superstar running back might not fit in a rebuild.” It will be very interesting to see if Taylor holds in without a new contract. Ballard spent a lot of his press conference saying his own contract status — he’s a lame duck GM — won’t affect his ability to make long-term decisions. In his own words: We’ll see.
  • IND Running Back #28
    To be clear, the headline of this article said Taylor “could — and should — hold in” and the article itself mostly focuses on why he should and would have a lot of leverage if he attempted to. There’s not exactly a pull quote here from Taylor that suggests he’s leaning one way or the other. But Boyd has been on the beat in Indianapolis for a bit and we believe there’s a real chance this happens. Taylor didn’t technically hold in during an acrimonious contract dispute ahead of the 2023 season so much as he dealt with a right ankle injury that suddenly healed after he got a contract before Week 5. Boyd believes Taylor “despite being three years older, has more leverage now than he did in 2023.” The Colts certainly don’t have a real backup plan for him at running back based on how last season and this offseason went.
  • IND Running Back #28
    Taylor, 27, has totaled more than 320 offensive touches in each of the last two seasons. His current $14 million annual salary makes him the seventh-highest-paid running back in the league. Taylor has set multiple Colts records, operating as the centerpiece of Indianapolis’ offense for years. FOX 59’s Mike Chappell writes that it is “uncertain whether there’s a mutual desire to keep Taylor in Indy beyond 2025.” Multiple Colts stars, including DTs DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, OG Quenton Nelson and WR Josh Downs, are also entering the final year of their deal. Chappell believes owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon “might believe it’s more prudent to allow the upcoming season to run its course rather than reinvest in lucrative contracts.” Time will tell.
  • IND Running Back #28
    That can change if the Colts select a ballyhooed running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, but at this time, Taylor looks like he should handle another RB1-worthy workload next season. Taylor’s 369 offensive touches in 2025 rank second at the position and he is one among just 10 NFL running backs to clear 300 offensive touches during the regular season. He logged 321 in 2024. No. 2 RB DJ Giddens touched the ball 18 times last season and therefore enters 2026 as an unknown. If Taylor can again remain largely healthy next season, he has decent odds of surpassing 300 touches again.
  • IND Running Back #28
    Every Colts player suffered from a tale of two halves because of Daniel Jones’ knee and torn Achilles injuries. Taylor rushed for 1139 yards and 15 touchdowns in the first 10 games of the season. He didn’t crack 100 yards in any single game afterwards, adding just three more touchdowns to the total ledger. He was the PPR RB3 overall through 17 weeks, but there is some uncertainty about how he’ll hold on to that with Jones’ mobility likely compromised in 2026 -- not to mention Jones’ impending free agency, or the idea that the Colts might move on from their coaching staff. The talent has always been there for Taylor to play like this. If the Colts can give him solid quarterback play again, he should be in the top-5 RB mix in 2026.
  • IND Running Back #28
    He lost a second score to a holding penalty, the Colts ended that drive with a Philip Rivers touchdown pass to Mo-Alie Cox. The Jaguars were essentially sitting on Taylor carries the entire game — it’s not like Rivers could threaten them over the top — and they’ve got a good enough rushing defense that Taylor was left trying to bounce plays outside for big plays. Taylor managed just nine carries for 19 yards in the second half. The Colts don’t have a major reason to play him in Week 18 against the Texans, but it isn’t completely out of the question that he tries to catch James Cook for the rushing crown after coming into today trailing by 43 yards. Colts will be tough plays against a Texans defense with something to play for in Week 18.
  • IND Running Back #28
    Taylor struggled throughout behind an injury-ravaged offensive line against a defense many before him had found success against. He salvaged his fantasy outing with a touchdown plunge from one yard out in the fourth quarter to bring the team within seven points, a deficit they ultimately fell short of overcoming. The Colts could also be turning back to rookie Riley Leonard under center moving forward now that they are eliminated from the playoffs, something that could dent his fantasy upside over the final two weeks of the regular season.

Rotoworld

  • NYG Wide Receiver #88
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    Malachi Fields caught 2-of-4 targets for 25 yards in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    The rookie wide receiver showcased an all-around polished skillset that included trust in the run game, reinforcing offseason reports that he had locked down the WR2 role opposite Malik Nabers. His 6'4, 220-pound frame was on full display as he was continually utilized as both a down-blocker and blocker in the second level on runs, something that should allow him to continue to operate as the clear-cut WR2 for the Giants throughout his rookie campaign. That said, the box scores highlights the obvious distinction that his snap rate won’t always translate to fantasy production while playing alongside Nabers and tight end Isaiah Likely, the latter two of whom commanded 17 targets on 29 Jaxson Dart pass attempts. The good news is that he played well ahead of veterans Darnell Mooney and Odell Beckham Jr. Fantasy managers are best off viewing Fields as a high-end stash at the end of benches for the time being.
  • NYG Wide Receiver #1
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    Malik Nabers caught 6-of-9 targets for 69 yards in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Nabers took his decision to play all the way up to inactives, ultimately deeming himself healthy enough to take the field against a divisional rival. Offensive coordinator Matt Nagy didn’t take long to knock the rust off his alpha receiver, giving him a quick out on his first target to get his feet wet and get into the flow of the game. Nabers would make numerous athletic plays from that point forward, combining with newcomer tight end Isaiah Likely to account for 17 targets on only 29 Jaxson Dart pass attempts. Fantasy managers can likely project that volume forward as the offense appeared to run entirely through its top two options through the air in the opening game. Nabers gets a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2, where he remains a back end WR1 in fantasy circles.
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    Isaiah Likely caught all eight targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Making his debut for a new team, Likely didn’t wait long to prove he can be a featured tight end for the Giants, scoring on the final possession of the first half and first possession after the break. His first score highlighted his athleticism as he escaped coverage to the corner of the end zone from 15 yards out while his second trip to paint was reminiscent of a Nagy design for Travis Kelce in which the veteran tight end shed a chip-block in the flat for an easy score from two yards. Likely looks every bit of a fantasy TE1 but gets a difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2. Even so, you’re starting him if you got him.
  • NYG Running Back #44
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    Cam Skattebo rushed 18 times for 81 yards and a touchdown in the Giants’ Week 1 win over the Cowboys.

    Although Skattebo was not targeted in the pass game, his 18 carries handily led the team. Furthermore, presumed backup Tyrone Tracy lost a fumble on one of his two carries, resulting in Devin Singletary taking over primary backup duties for the remainder of the game. Those two variables should keep Skattebo’s weekly volume high after showing no ill effects of the devastating ankle injury suffered in 2025. His touchdown now gives him eight total scores in nine professional appearances despite only six of those being starts, a rate that will keep Skattebo in the weekly RB1 discussion moving forward. That said, fantasy managers could be forced to test their depth ahead of a Week 2 matchup against the Rams on the road.
  • NYG Quarterback #6
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    Jaxson Dart completed 23-of-29 passes for 230 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ 28-20, Week 1 win over the Cowboys, adding 54 yards on 11 carries.

    Dart managed to convert 9-of-10 third downs as the Giants completely controlled the flow of the game against their divisional rivals, leading to over 13 more minutes of possession than the Cowboys. Fantasy managers will also be ecstatic about the 11 rush attempts, specifically due to the fact that over half of those were designed carries in Matt Nagy’s offense. Touchdown passes to tight end Isaiah Likely book-ended halftime, with the second-year quarterback adding a third to running back Devin Singletary in the fourth quarter. Nagy’s offense appears to be locked into the team’s top two options through the air, highlighted by the 17 combined targets filtered to Malik Nabers and Likely. Dart’s passing volume could see a significant uptick when the Giants hit the road to face the Rams in Week 2, during which fantasy managers can treat him as a back end QB1.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #19
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    Ryan Flournoy caught 2-of-4 targets for 22 yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    The veteran receiver inked a one-year contract extension this offseason to retain his supporting role in the high-powered Dallas offense, but the early returns were less than inspiring. Flournoy appeared to have a stranglehold on the WR3 duties for the Cowboys but will be hard-pressed to return consistent fantasy production for as long as both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens remain healthy. He’ll be a boom-bust WR4 in a plus matchup against the Commanders in Week 2.
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    Jake Ferguson caught both targets for six yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    The Cowboys were dominated in both time of possession and total offense on a night the Giants converted 9-of-10 third downs, resulting in the poor showing in the box scores for the veteran tight end. Ferguson’s stark fantasy splits when both CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens are healthy remain a concern for fantasy managers that invested a middle-round pick in his services, something that a home matchup against a forgiving Commanders defense could remedy. Even so, Ferguson is nothing more than a middling TE2 in Week 2.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #3
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    George Pickens caught 3-of-6 targets for 28 yards in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    Pickens picked up two early receptions on the team’s first two possessions, contributing further by drawing a defensive pass interference penalty that would set up a CeeDee Lamb touchdown in the second quarter. An untimely drop on third down near the end of the first quarter halted any momentum he had in the box score as he would go on to notch a lone additional catch the rest of the game. The Cowboys managed only 52 offensive plays as they were dominated in both total offense and time of possession, while watching their defense allow the Giants to go 9-of-10 on third down. It is likely we see much more inspiring fantasy production the remainder of the season as Pickens plays out the year on the franchise tag. He enters a Week 2 home showdown against the Commanders as an upside WR2.
  • DAL Wide Receiver #88
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    CeeDee Lamb caught 5-of-8 targets for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants.

    Although eventually leading the team in both targets and receiving, Lamb got off to a slow start while committing an early drop. He would score from one yard out in the second quarter after a Javonte Williams touchdown was ruled short of the goal line and also draw a defensive pass interference penalty in the second half that would lead to a Williams score, but he was otherwise removed from the game through defensive scheming. Better days are likely ahead for the perennial WR1, which starts in a Week 2 home showdown against another divisional opponent in the Commanders.
  • DAL Running Back #33
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    Javonte Williams rushed 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ Week 1 loss to the Giants, adding five receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown.

    Williams understandably operated as a clear workhorse for a Cowboys team with little depth at the position following Malik Davis’ season-ending injury earlier in the week. His two second half scores and five receptions masked poor rushing efficiency on a night the Cowboys ran only 52 offensive plays, although a robust 32.7 percent total opportunity share foreshadows the potential for continued elite counting stats for the remainder of the regular season. Fantasy managers can continue to start Williams as a volume-driven RB1 as the team prepares to host the Commanders in Week 2.