Indy’s star runningback has taken a hit to his production without the influence of Anthony Richardson in the run game.
Whenever Joe Flacco has started for the Indianapolis Colts this season, star running back Jonathan Taylor has seen a noticeable decrease in production. Some may naturally assume that the passing game, and in turn, the receiving corps, will see a dropoff (or even uptick) in production, but it’s the offense’s best weapon that has been affected the most.
Since 2020, when they drafted him, the Colts’ offensive identity has been centered around Jonathan Taylor. He has produced whenever called upon, regardless of which quarterback was handing the ball off to him. Nowadays, however, Taylor is struggling to get things going on the ground when Flacco is leading the charge as opposed to when Richardson is.
Below are Jonathan Taylor’s rushing splits between each starting QB for the Colts.
Anthony Richardson: 76 rushes for 396 yards (5.2 yards per carry) and 5 rushing TDs.
Joe Flacco: 29 rushes for 106 yards (3.6 yards per carry).
The volume of rushes so far is a stark difference thus far. However, the proof may be in the pudding when it comes to predicting how Jonathan Taylor will fare moving forward with Flacco at the helm versus Richardson doing so.
When it comes to Taylor’s CVS receipt of NFL quarterbacks who have handed him the ball, most lie in the Flacco fold of things (i.e., immobile, predictable, etc.). This might lead to a belief that Taylor’s struggle will round itself into form in due time since we have statistical proof of him overcoming past odds, but the Colts’ run-blocking would argue otherwise.
Since Taylor was drafted, the Colts have employed a top-tier run-blocking unit year in and year out, with the exception being 2022 (where they still ranked 13th). Here’s how the Colts’ offensive line has fared as run-blockers during the Taylor Era.
2020: 3rd
2021: 9th
2022: 13th
2023: 8th
That trend has continued into 2024 as the Colts are PFF’s top-ranked run-blocking unit through nine weeks. Therefore, if the philosophy and personnel have remained virtually the same, then why would a quarterback be the difference? It’s because Anthony Richardson’s rushing ability is as influential as it gets.
Jonathan Taylor, with the help of the aforementioned dominant offensive line(s) that have blocked for him over the years, has, for the most part, ‘done it himself’ for the vast majority of his career. Nowadays, with the influence of Richardson’s legs, the eyes of opposing defenses are forced into honoring Richardson first and foremost, oftentimes allowing Taylor to slip through the cracks. With the recent elevation of Joe Flacco, however, the offense’s ceiling for explosiveness within the run game is halted.
There’s no denying that Jonathan Taylor, no matter the situation around him, is always due for a big game. He could very well replicate his five-touchdown performance against the Buffalo Bills this upcoming weekend, but that would likely be accredited to a classic Taylor showing as opposed to an all-round dominant effort from the Colts’ offense.
Even if Joe Flacco remains the starter for the remainder of the season, as HC Shane Steichen has so shrewdly explained, Jonathan Taylor will inevitably remind the league that he can do it all on his own. The argument is in favor of a higher floor for Indy’s rushing game if/when Anthony Richardson is reinserted into the starting lineup. With as anemic as the passing game looked with Flacco on SNF, a more efficient run game is needed for sustainable play on offense. Richardson, while needing to work out his own kinks as a passer, single-handily raises said floor with his elite rushing prowess.
