Why a pair of AFC East teams make the most sense for a Jonathan Taylor trade

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor received permission to seek a trade on Monday, paving the way for the former All-Pro running back to leave Indianapolis as desired.

Here comes the hard part: finding a trade partner.

With running back value at an all-time low in the NFL, teams will be hesitant to trade a first-round pick, or a combination of picks equal to a first-round selection (which the Colts are requesting, per ESPN's Stephen Holder) and sign Taylor to a long-term contract extension.

However, that shouldn't deter a Super Bowl contender this season from pulling off a deal. As 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey showed last season, running backs are difference-makers in the right situation.

People were quick to criticize San Francisco for trading for McCaffrey (although not everyone), but his addition ended up reviving the team's season. While San Francisco didn't reach the Super Bowl, does anyone consider that a bad trade for the 49ers anymore? Doubt it.

When considering the best landing spot for Taylor, a few things are worth remembering. For starters, any team without a 2024 first-rounder (Browns, Texans, Panthers) is most likely eliminated, as are the Colts' division opponents (Jaguars, Titans).

Several other teams are already set at running back or aren't ready to contend. If a team is the former, it doesn't need Taylor. If the latter, it would be foolish to trade a valuable future first-round pick just to waste the rest of Taylor's prime on a rebuilding roster.

Two teams stand out as the most logical fits for Taylor: the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins.

The Dolphins ranked 31st in rushing attempts and 19th in yards per attempt last season and while the team has averaged 186.5 yards per game on the ground during the 2023 preseason with a committee approach, Taylor could be a bell cow back the team needs to keep pressure off quarterback Tua Tagovailoa as he rebounds from multiple concussions last season.

It would also be a nightmare for defensive coordinators to try to stop receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on the outside while trying to contain Taylor as well.

The Bills also lack a proven every-down back and are in the middle of their championship window. As reliant as Buffalo is on quarterback Josh Allen, Taylor would take a huge strain off his shoulders.

In the AFC East arms race, either team adding Taylor would be the perfect answer to recent running back signings by the Jets (Dalvin Cook) and Patriots (Ezekiel Elliott).

As much as Taylor would help either team on the field, his addition could help in less tangible ways as well, particularly in making everyone in the locker room know the front office believes it can win a Super Bowl.

After pulling off the McCaffrey deal last October, 49ers general manager John Lynch said, "You only do this when you have belief in your team as it's constructed."

If a team ends up trading for Taylor, it will speak volumes about its belief in its Super Bowl chances. For the team that doesn't land Taylor, the front office will have to explain why it didn't trust its 2023 roster enough to go all-in on a championship.