NFL analyst predicts Colts player Jonathan Taylor as MVP in 2024

Indianapolis Colts second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson has dominated the spotlight since the 2023 season ended for the franchise. That makes sense, as Richardson will be the future of the Colts and is still in the very early stages of his professional career. His development as a quarterback is high on Indy’s priority list and will remain so for years to come. But Richardson won’t be able to accomplish what the Colts expect without the rest of a promising offensive unit around him. With an offensive line fighting its way back to the top, an intriguing receiver corps and coaching tailored to quarterbacks, Richardson seems to be in a perfect situation to succeed.

But Indianapolis’ offense will feature a lot of former All-Pro and Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor. The four-year workhorse has 925 carries for 4,582 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground. Taylor has also caught 123 passes for 955 receiving yards and four more touchdowns (44 total). While the stats suggest Taylor averages over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns per season, most of his production came in 2021, when he was at the top of the MVP conversation.

In an article by NFL.com Eric Edholm, who predicts the 2024 MVP title for every AFC team, believes Taylor is a more realistic candidate than Richardson. Here’s his take on the matter.

Taylor is a leap of faith, coming off his worst statistical season and now two years in a row he hasn’t even played at full capacity on the field. But I’m confident he’ll get back to the production he did in his first and second years of his professional career, when he was the Colts’ undisputed workhorse.

– Eric Edholm | NFL.com

What’s next for the Colts? Don’t miss any news and analysis! Take a second and Sign up for our free newsletter and get the latest Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!

The threat Indy’s offense poses depends on the health of Richardson and Taylor. Taylor has been absent for much of the past two seasons due to multiple injuries (missed 13 games in 2022 and 2023). For 2024, it’s just as important for Taylor to stay on the field as any other Colts offensive weapon if Shane Steichen wants to succeed.

While Michael Pittman Jr. (not quarterback) is the most important building block to Indy’s offensive game plan and success, Taylor follows close on his heels. When he’s on the field (especially with Richardson), there’s always a chance to hit a home run. Taylor is also a monster when used and tends to perform better when he’s more involved. While Richardson was the easy choice for Edholm’s building block, voting Taylor the Colts’ MVP is an honor. If Richardson has a phenomenal sophomore year, Taylor will likely be a great reason to do so, securing a resurrection season in the process.

If the Colts can get what they saw in Week 18 against the Houston Texans out of Taylor in 2024, we could see one of the best seasons of the former Wisconsin Badger’s tenure with Indianapolis. Training camp for the Colts and the rest of the NFL is quickly approaching, and Taylor can’t wait to get back to All-Pro status in 2024.

Want to know more about the Colts? Then watch the latest episode of Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!

Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook And X; subscribe Youtube for multiple Colts livestream podcasts per week.