Jonathan Taylor will remain with the Indianapolis Colts, who didn’t move the running back before Tuesday’s roster cutdown deadline.
The Miami Dolphins were among the reported suitors, but they couldn’t complete a deal for the 2021 All-Pro. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, the two sides “never got close” to an agreement.
Wolfe cited the Colts’ high asking price for Taylor and said the Dolphins are “happy” with their current running-back room.
Dolphins-Jonathan Taylor never got close despite rumblings. If Miami was to make a deal, it would be at their value. Colts had high asking price.
Miami’s happy with its RBs. Raheem Mostert had over 1K yards in 2022; leads RB room w/ vet Jeff Wilson & speedy rookie De’Von Achane.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) August 29, 2023
Indianapolis reportedly wanted a first-round pick for Taylor, who is recovering from offseason ankle surgery and entering the final year of his rookie contract. Miami, or any other team who acquired the 24-year-old, needed to pay Taylor after coughing up draft capital to land him.
Taylor would have bolstered the Dolphins’ backfield, but they have other options. Raheem Mostert has averaged 5.4 yards per carry over his career, and he fended off the injury bug long enough to tally career highs in total yards (1,093) and touches (212) in 16 games last season.
Another former San Francisco 49ers running back, Jeff Wilson Jr., averaged 4.7 yards per rush in 2022. Meanwhile, rookie De’Von Achane gives them an added speed component.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Taylor will remain on the physically unable to perform list. That makes him ineligible for the first four games of the season.
If he returns, the Colts could try again to move Taylor during the season before the Oct. 31 trade deadline.