There are two factors that go into determining the best and worst fantasy football landing spots for Jonathan Taylor.
The first is what is best for Taylor. I fully believe he is an elite talent and will succeed anywhere. And any team trading for him has to be in a better situation than the Indianapolis Colts, who have traded their top offensive lineman. They have also had poor quarterback play and often trail, which means a negative game script for the running game. However, Taylor is also going to crater the fantasy value of the running backs on whichever team he is dealt to. That should be considered as well.
Best Jonathan Taylor landing spots
1. Minnesota Vikings: I would expect any team that acquires Taylor to use him plenty, but the Vikings and their style of play make a lot of sense. They have run the ball at the sixth-highest rate this season. They want to establish the run and trust their defense. Minnesota has created the third-most yards before contact on RB carries, so its offensive line is creating running lanes for the backs.
This is a situation where Taylor would get to come in and become the immediate focal point on a team very much in the hunt. It could also help open things up in the passing game, which Justin Jefferson managers would enjoy. Lastly, neither of the Vikings' current running backs is a great fantasy option. Since Jordan Mason returned, neither he nor Aaron Jones Sr. has scored seven fantasy points in a game.
2. Seattle Seahawks: This would ruin the fantasy values of Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet, but neither has provided much anyway. The Seahawks have struggled to create consistent running lanes, as evidenced by their 0.6 yards before contact per carry (NFL average: 0.9); however, we should see improvements there with recent acquisition Quenton Nelson on the offensive line. This is the rare instance where Taylor would not be the focal point of opposing defenses, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the perimeter.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: This would hurt in fantasy as it would take Chase Brown out as a weekly option. However, the Bengals' offense would be the NFL version of the "Monstars" with Taylor added. Good luck stacking the box and leaving Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase to run wild in the secondary.
4. Washington Commanders: The Commanders are creating running lanes, but their backs have struggled to consistently produce. Taylor would immediately change that, on a team that has a ton of touches up for grabs. Taylor getting to run the option with Jayden Daniels should make fantasy managers of either player salivate. We have yet to see Daniels paired with a dominant running back.
5. New England Patriots: The Patriots' backs might produce at times for fantasy, but they have struggled all season. Both Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson have averaged under 4 yards per carry. In fact, both have negative rush EPAs on the season. Taylor would come in, see the bulk of work, and give New England potentially three elite offensive players when A.J. Brown returns.
Worst Jonathan Taylor landing spots
1. Denver Broncos: My answer for the worst fantasy landing spot for Taylor might surprise some. The Broncos are struggling on the ground despite a strong offensive line. They rank just above league average in yards before contact, and their current backs have picked up yards after contact at the lowest rate in the NFL and explosive runs at the fifth-lowest rate. Taylor would elevate this, but my biggest concern is usage.
Under Sean Payton, the Broncos have been more of a "sum of their parts" offense. Perhaps acquiring Taylor would change that, but people said the same thing when the team acquired Jaylen Waddle. Taylor would obviously see the most touches for Denver, but would we see the other backs mixed in and eating into his workload? Fantasy managers have long been burned by Payton's unpredictable shenanigans.
Plus, this would wreck the fantasy value of Jonah Coleman, who has the potential to be a breakout star this season. Coleman ranks third among running backs in explosive run rate and has shown to be the most effective Broncos RB in the running and passing games. He has league-winning upside if he gets to remain as the lead back.
2. Green Bay Packers: The Packers make sense given Josh Jacobs' off-the-field situation; however, they have been vocal that they expect him to remain with the team. Green Bay is tied for the second-fewest yards before contact per carry (0.4). Its offensive line has struggled to create running lanes all season. Plus, the Packers have found their most success since Jordan Love began airing the ball out. Between the offensive line struggles and Jacobs' presence, this would not be a great landing spot.
3. New York Giants: Taylor would produce anywhere, but to varying degrees. The Giants have created 0.5 rushing yards before contact per carry, which is tied for the fourth lowest in the NFL. I'd expect him to see a heavy dose of stacked boxes here, as the Giants' passing attack isn't scaring opposing defenses like with other teams listed here. Plus, there is the pressure to perform in New York and the fact that this would tank Cam Skattebo's fantasy value.
