We finally have a price on what the Colts want for Jonathan Taylor at the trade deadline, and they have another elite running back’s precedent in mind.
The Colts are seeking a “Christian McCaffrey-type package” for their star running back who has drawn serious interest around the league, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
“Where we’re at is essentially where we’ve been, which is several teams interested in Taylor, willing to offer a significant pick package but maybe not quite what Ed Dodds, who is running personnel now … what he wants and what the organization wants,” Rapoport reported Wednesday. “They want a Christian McCaffrey-type package for Jonathan Taylor. It’s clear they don’t have it yet; otherwise, they would have obviously made the trade.”
The Panthers received four picks for McCaffrey in 2022, landing second-, third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks — with three in 2023, one in 2024 — from the 49ers.
Notably, the Panthers did not land a first-round selection, although the larger collection of picks helped offset losing that top-32 value.
According to the Jimmy Johnson trade chart created in the 1990s, the No. 32 pick in the NFL Draft is worth 590 points.
The last respective picks in the second, third, fourth and fifth rounds are worth 462 points, although higher selections in each round would boost that total.
There appears to be enough smoke that a Taylor trade could happen before the Nov. 10 deadline, and the Giants are among those interested, The Post previously reported.
The Packers, Broncos, Vikings and Seahawks have also been linked to Taylor.
While the Colts are aiming high and using McCaffrey as a comparison, the two situations differ.
McCaffrey was 26 at the time of the deal and had three and a half seasons remaining on his contract, and he was also more of a dual-threat back than Taylor.
McCaffrey had 924 yards receiving last year, while Taylor has never eclipsed 400 in his NFL career.
Taylor is 27 and has just two and a half years left on his contract, although an acquiring team could always extend his deal like the 49ers ultimately did with McCaffrey.
While the Colts are listening to offers, Rapoport noted that the AFC squad doesn’t “really want” to trade Taylor, believing he is part of their core.
That belief is why they are looking for an offer that would make it tough for them to say no.
However, their first-round pick is headed to the Jets due to the Sauce Gardner trade, meaning they won’t truly be able to kick off a rebuild this upcoming season.
Trading Taylor now compared to later would allow them more picks while also not letting Taylor’s value depreciate as he ages.
