With the Reese’s Senior Bowl taking place on February 1st, let’s take a position-by-position look at who will be participating in the week-long event and could be of interest to the Indianapolis Colts.
Next up are the running backs, but if you missed any of our other previews up to this point, you can find them below:
With Jonathan Taylor returning and the litany of other positions that the Colts could justify addressing, adding to the running back room isn’t at the top of the to-do list this offseason by any means. However, it is a position that should be on GM Chris Ballard’s radar.
For starters, as I detailed recently, having a running back who can impact the passing game could add another dimension to the offense that the Colts just didn’t have in 2024 and it becomes an added element that defenses now have to prepare for.
In addition to that, while Jonathan Taylor has obviously shown he can handle a hefty workload, having another back that over the course of the season can handle his share of the carries would reduce the wear and tear on Taylor over a 17 game schedule.
Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson would combine for only 88 carries in 2024, most of which came during the games that Taylor was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Lastly, the draft is about planning ahead, after all, and Taylor will be in the final year of his deal in 2026. It’s the GM’s job to look to the future and be prepared for potential departures.
With all that said, I don’t think the Colts use an early round pick on the running back position, but a Day 3 selection I could see being in the cards.
So with that in mind, here are some prospects in the upcoming draft to keep you eyes on at this week’s Senior Bowl, and the general consensus seems to be that this year’s running back class is loaded with depth.
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
RJ Harvey, Central Florida
Marcus Yarns, Delaware
Devin Neal, Kansas
Damien Martinez, Miami
Donovan Edwards, Michigan
Kalel Mullings, Michigan
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Woody Marks, USC
Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Brashard Smith, SMU
LeQuint Allen, Syracuse
Trevor Etienne, Georgia
The Senior Bowl is an invitation only, All-Star college football showcase held each year in Mobile, Alabama.
Here, top prospects are able to display their talents throughout the week against high-level competition, in drills, on the practice field, and then the week concludes with a game between the American and National teams.
The event attracts general managers, coaches, and scouts from across the league, and in addition to the on-field portion of the week, NFL teams also get the opportunity to meet with prospects as well.