5 breakout stars to watch for the Indianapolis Colts in 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 29: Michael Pittman Jr. #11 of the Indianapolis Colts looks to make a catch in the third quarter during their game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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2. Jonathan Taylor, RB

Yes, Taylor finished third in the league in rushing last year as a rookie (1,169 yards), with 11 touchdowns on the ground. He also had 36 catches, and the eighth-most carries in the league (232).

But from Week 1-10, Taylor had more than 17 carries in a game once (15 carries or less seven times in nine games). Unless he had an undisclosed injury, that’s borderline inexcusable when it’s Jordan Wilkins taking the work instead. Taylor missed a game in Week 12 on the COVID-19 list, but that Week 10 mark was a notable split in his season.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Colts/status/1346122785517694977?s=20

Over his final six regular-season games last season, Taylor had 741 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns (along with one receiving touchdown). His performance in Week 17 (30 carries for 253 yards, two touchdowns) skews those numbers some, but in the first five games of that closing stretch, he averaged nearly 5.5 yards per carry.

The re-signing of Marlon Mack is not a threat to Taylor’s status as the Colts’ workhorse back. With more consistent work in his second season, and 250-275 carries an easy expectation, he is a dark horse candidate to lead the league in rushing. That’s where the breakout is here.

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