Jonathan Taylor: says he has not requested a trade
THE FACT. Jonathan Taylor told reporters Thursday that he has not asked the Colts to trade him, per NBC Sports' Myles Simmons and Yahoo Sports' Sean Leahy, saying he remains proud to wear the horseshoe while acknowledging he cannot control what the team decides. Indianapolis has already moved Quenton Nelson to Seattle and DeForest Buckner to San Francisco this week, and Yahoo Sports reports that Colts ownership does not want to deal Taylor before the Nov. 10 deadline. Head coach Shane Steichen said Wednesday that Taylor is on the football team.
THE VERDICT. Nothing has changed for this week, so keep starting him. Redraft: he is still a locked-in every-week back, and Thursday's comments plus ownership's reported stance make a move less likely than the Nelson and Buckner deals suggested. Dynasty: hold, because a trade out of a 2-5 team would more likely help his outlook than hurt it. DFS: play him normally against Jacksonville. Revisit only if a deal actually lands before Nov. 10.
I'll take the other side of the dynasty line. Whatever happens by November 10, the thing that actually changed this week is that Quenton Nelson is gone. He blocked for Taylor for seven-plus seasons, and a rookie fourth-rounder slides in at left guard on a 2-5 team that is shopping everybody. Taylor is at 4.2 a carry with eight touchdowns carrying his fantasy line, and he is 27 with 140 carries already banked. Indy is reportedly asking a second-rounder. That is the market telling you where this is headed. I am selling, not holding.