Giants allegedly emerge as favorites to trade for Colts' Jonathan Taylor over Vikings, Broncos

As recently as Thursday, it was said that Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor "expects to be traded" before the deadline for such moves arrives at 4:00 p.m. ET this coming Tuesday. Additionally, a Thursday story suggested that the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings had emerged as the favorites to acquire Taylor after the weekend. 

For an article published on Friday morning, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated specifically named the Giants, Vikings and Denver Broncos as potential landing spots for Taylor. It sounds like one of those teams is closer to pulling off a trade than the other two heading into the first Saturday of November.

Colts still holding out for more assets regarding a Jonathan Taylor trade

"The Giants, Broncos and Vikings have inquired, and discussed it, and it appears Denver and Minnesota might be a little less inclined to trade for Taylor now," Breer wrote about a possible trade. "Conversely, the indication I’ve gotten is that while the Giants aren’t offering what Indy wants, they are a serious suitor."

For a piece posted on Thursday, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports revealed that he knows "for sure" that first-year Giants head coach John Harbaugh wants Taylor "badly," so much so that Harbaugh may be willing to give up a first-round draft pick to acquire the 27-year-old. Previous stories noted that Harbaugh would prefer to have more of a proven RB1 take some carries away from current first-choice back Cam Skattebo. 

Additionally, the fact that Taylor signed a two-year contract extension this past summer could make Harbaugh, the Giants' true head of football operations, feel better about giving up a first-round draft pick to complete a trade.

What could acquiring Jonathan Taylor cost the Giants? 

"My understanding is a first-round pick, or the equivalent in a Christian McCaffrey–level package (the 49ers sent 2023 second-, third- and fourth-round picks, and a 2024 fifth-rounder to the Panthers for McCaffrey in October 2023) would likely get it done, and the Colts haven’t gotten that price," Breer added about a potential deal. 

Taylor is on track to play for the 2-6 Colts against the 3-5 Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. That same afternoon, the 4-2-1 Giants will play at the 2-6 Philadelphia Eagles. 

It remains to be seen how what happens in those games will impact conversations involving the Colts and Giants regarding Taylor's future.