Jonathan Taylor Fantasy Outlook 2024 : Can He Bounce Back?
With the 2024 fantasy football season approaching, fantasy players must weigh the upside and floor of every potential draft pick. Unfortunately, most players fit one of two categories – high upside and low floor or low upside and high floor. Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is one of the few players who doesn’t fit into either category. The Jonathan Taylor fantasy outlook reveals that his only meaningful downside is his injury history.
After missing only two games over his first two NFL seasons, Taylor has missed 38.2% of the contests over the past two years with multiple injuries. Fantasy players never got to see him play with Anthony Richardson in 2023. Let’s explore what fantasy players should do with the superstar running back in 2024 and beyond. Keep reading to find out Jonathan Taylor’s fantasy football outlook now.
RB Jonathan Taylor Fantasy Football Outlook
Taylor is heading into his fifth season in the NFL and the first year under the massive extension he signed in 2023. The veteran was a fantasy superstar the minute he stepped onto the field. Taylor was the RB6 as a rookie, averaging 15.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns. While some were afraid to spend a first-round pick on Taylor the following year, he was one of the top players in fantasy football.
The former Wisconsin star was the RB1 in 2021, averaging 20.8 fantasy points per game. Taylor led the NFL in rushing attempts (332), yards (1,811), and touchdowns (18), posting career highs in every category. Unfortunately, he has severely regressed the past two years, missing 13 games because of injury.
While Taylor struggled to stay healthy, the superstar has been solid when on the field. He averaged 4.4 yards per rushing attempt and 13.3 fantasy points per game over the past two seasons. However, the former Wisconsin star was outstanding over his final five contests in 2023, averaging 97.4 rushing yards and 17.8 fantasy points per game. If he can stay healthy, Taylor has overall RB1 upside.
Jonathan Taylor Fantasy Outlook
Taylor has always played with a pocket-passing quarterback, whether it was Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, or Gardner Minshew. That won’t be the case in 2024 with Richardson.
The second-year quarterback could limit Taylor’s rushing touchdown upside, especially around the goal line. However, the Colts paid Taylor to be their featured running back. While he won’t repeat his 18-touchdown season from 2021, the superstar should have double-digit scores this year.
Dynasty Football Outlook
Dynasty fantasy football managers shouldn’t consider Taylor in the top tier of running backs alongside Bijan Robinson and Breece Hall. However, the superstar is in the RB3 through RB5 mix in dynasty rankings. While he is entering his fifth NFL season, Taylor is only 25 years old and has several years of high-end production ahead of him. The only concern with the veteran is his injury history, which has been overblown by many in the fantasy industry.
Conclusion
Taylor is my RB4 in half-PPR scoring this season behind Christian McCaffrey, Hall, and Robinson. While fantasy managers should have concerns about his injury history and goal-line role with Richardson healthy, Taylor is one of the top pure runners in the NFL. Ultimately, the Colts will be a run-heavy offense and should lean on their superstar running back, with Richardson having four career starts on his resume. In the end, this is great news for Taylor and his fantasy outlook for 2024 and beyond.
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