Beat: McGowan ‘has flashed in camp’

Multiple teams, per Pelissero, offered a second-round pick. It sounds like Indianapolis was holding out for a first. Playing out the season in Indy, Taylor will likely retain RB1 value despite a gross situation. It should be noted that Seth McGowan had begun to cut into Taylor’s playing time a bit, but with the Colts now committed to Taylor for the short-term, it’s plausible that he’ll operate at a 70-75 percent of snaps player for the remainder of the season. McGowan retains contingency value in fantasy leagues but will not stumble into a major role barring injury.

McGowan came on in relief of Jonathan Taylor on third-and-goal from the two late in the first quarter, cashing in on the opportunity for his first touchdown this season. a 36-yard scamper in the fourth quarter pushed his yards per carry mark to a healthy 7.5, dwarfing the 3.5 of Taylor. McGowan should not be on waiver wires ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline, with the looming possibility that Taylor has played his final snap for the Colts.

Steichen mostly dodged questions about why the Colts would play Taylor in Week 9 if the team was in talks with contenders who might want to acquire the star running back before the NFL’s trade deadline. “Teams call all the time,” Steichen told reports. He said the team was focused on the Cowboys, their opponents in Week 9. Taylor seems more than likely to be dealt to another team in the coming weeks. That could be the Vikings, Bengals, Seahawks, or another contending team in need of backfield help.

McGowan actually out-gained Jonathan Taylor on the ground in a game the Colts trailed 28-0 at halftime and 42-7 heading into the fourth quarter. No. 3 back DJ Giddens was called upon for six carries, which he turned into 43 yards. Fantasy managers are stuck in a holding pattern as they await Taylor’s Colts fate ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, but McGowan remains worth a speculative stash in most 12-team leagues.

Multiple teams are interested in acquiring the 27-year-old Taylor and talks are active and ongoing, according to Schefter. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Colts already turned down an offer for Taylor that included a 2027 second-round pick and another pick. While previous reports stated the Colts weren’t interested in trading Taylor, who signed an extension before the season, Indianapolis appears to be holding out for the best offer they can get. Taylor would see a slight boost in fantasy value if acquired by another team while Seth McGowan would likely take over the Colts’ backfield.

The Colts this week dealt DeForest Buckner to the 49ers and Quenton Nelson to the Seahawks in what looks like a fire sale ahead of the NFL’s trade deadline. Taylor could be next if the Colts are ready to go all in on a rebuild in 2027 and beyond. A contender would likely have to part with a second round draft pick if they want Taylor in the coming weeks. Teams that could be suitors for Taylor include the Bengals, Vikings, and Seahawks, all of whom have backfield issues.

With Jonathan Taylor trade possibilities swirling, McGowan quietly saw an increase in usage against the Vikings. He turned 12 touches into 48 yards, seeing 20 offensive snaps to Taylor’s 41. Though Taylor is still the definitive RB1, it is notable that the rookie 25-year-old is getting more opportunities, including a couple red zone snaps. McGowan has not quite achieved standalone fantasy value but should be added as a bench stash. He would be the Colts’ RB1 should Taylor be traded later this season.

According to Holder, multiple teams would be open to trading for Taylor, but it remains unclear whether the Colts are ready to be sellers before the trade deadline. Colts GM Chris Ballard was recently fired, and “it is widely expected that significant organizational changes might be coming” after the eventual hiring of a new general manager.
Seth McGowan

should be stashed on benches at this time.

McGowan got a whole drive to himself early in the second quarter. Three of his carries and one of his two targets came on this drive. He was otherwise tasked with normal backup duties. McGowan is the only backup of note on the team, but he doesn’t have a standalone fantasy role right now.

It was McGowan’s first real taste of snaps with Jonathan Taylor, as he had 11 to Taylor’s 60 while the Colts were trying to grind clock with a lead against a hapless Texans offense. We doubt there’s much to this extra usage, it was likely just Taylor managing something minor on the sideline.