Trading for Jonathan Taylor would be big mistake for 1 team

The Jonathan Taylor NFL trade rumors are heating up, and the star running back is expected to be moved. The Indianapolis Colts have already traded Quenton and Deforest Buckner, so another star player being moved makes even more sense now. Will the Colts actually move on from Jonathan Taylor, though? The latest reports indicate they are willing to, and two teams are most often linked to Taylor. One of those teams will be making a big mistake if they trade for Taylor, though. MORE:Predicting upsets in Week 8 of NFL seasonVikings and Giants are top suitors for TaylorOct 4, 2026; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) at press conference after the 2026 NFL London Games against the Washington Commanders at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)It seems to be a tug-of-war battle between the Giants and Vikings. Which team is going to move multiple draft picks for the running back? The Vikings are undefeated, and their offense has not been strong. There is room with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason. Adding Jonathan Taylor will elevate this team significantly.The Giants have a head coach in John Harbaugh who has been pushing to grab a high-end running back. They wanted Jerimayeh Love in the draft, and the team offered Kenneth Walker III a deal in free agency. This team is 4-2-1 and has a legitimate chance at winning the NFC East.MORE:Bold predictions for Week 8 of 2026 NFL seasonGiants seem to be most motivatedNew York Giants head coach John Harbaugh. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesThis may be a mistake for this team. Is the running back position the only spot that needs to be filled for this team to be a contender? The answer is no. QB Jaxson Dart is out for the season, while both Brian Burns and Tremaine Edmunds are out for the season on the defensive side of things. The Giants need to fix their run defense more than adding to their rush offense. Yes, their defense as a whole is much improved, but the defensive tackles need to be upgraded, and more depth is most important. Shipping off numerous draft picks for a running back seems like they would be addressing the wrong issue. Taking a measured approach to the rebuild is essential for this franchise. The focus should be on constructing a team that can compete for the long term, rather than making short-sighted moves for a single season that may not yield significant results due to talent deficiencies in key positions. Are the Giants really considering parting with multiple draft picks, such as a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, similar to the Christian McCaffrey trade?Harbaugh EraNew York Giants head coach John Harbaugh talks to his players during a preseason opening game between the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)John Harbaugh is eager to enhance this roster swiftly and has expressed a clear desire for a running back capable of handling 25+ carries. While Cam Skattebo showed promise with a solid performance against the Texans, he may not be the long-term solution. Trading draft picks for a running back could seem beneficial now, especially considering the potential of Malik Nabers, Isaiah Likely, and Jaxson Dart in the future. However, the team still faces significant challenges, and acquiring a running back at the trade deadline may not have the impact you anticipate.— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —