Colts' Jonathan Taylor among running backs rumored before Nov 10 NFL trade deadline
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The gist
Reports list Jonathan Taylor, Tony Pollard and Saquon Barkley as running backs rumored to be dealt before the Nov 10 deadline.
Fantasy managers' backfields and starting lineups hinge on where these players land.
Background
The 2026 NFL Trade Deadline falls on November 10, and trade season was already underway before it, with teams moving quickly once a need became obvious. Jonathan Taylor is the Indianapolis Colts running back widely rumored to be dealt; Tony Pollard is the Tennessee Titans running back whom ESPN reporter Dan Graziano calls the more likely running back to be moved. Indianapolis is in the middle of a rebuild — it fired its general manager and traded away DeForest Buckner and Quenton Nelson — which has fed speculation around Taylor, Josh Downs and Keenan Allen. The chatter matters to fantasy players because a trade can reshape backfields, receiving rooms and starting quarterbacks.
How it unfolded
- Oct 25, 2026Jonathan Taylor rushes for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
- Oct 28, 2026A report lists nine fantasy-relevant players actively rumored in trade talks ahead of the deadline, less than two weeks away, including Taylor, Tony Pollard and Saquon Barkley.
- Oct 29, 2026A report notes Pollard is coming off 25 carries for 129 yards and 3 TDs, is a 29-year-old running back in the final year of his deal, and the Titans are 1-6.
- Oct 30, 2026An ESPN report says the Colts have already sent guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to San Francisco.
- Oct 31, 2026A report lists rookie Nicholas Singleton (1% rostered) as a stash, noting Pollard and Tyjae Spears are free agents after this year.
- Nov 3, 2026FantasyPros' Week 9 trade value chart lists Josh Allen at 29.1, Joe Burrow at 28.6 (+18.6) and Drake Maye at 24.7 (-3.9); CBS Sports says trades will impact backfields, receiving rooms and starting quarterbacks until the November 10 deadline.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- ESPN's Dan Graziano believes Tennessee's Tony Pollard is the more likely running back to be dealt, ahead of Taylor or Saquon Barkley, but says if the Colts are in full rebuilding mode, nothing can be ruled out.
- Analysts
- FantasyPros' Jim Moorman argues Indianapolis is rebuilding, so moving on from the soon-to-be 28-year-old Taylor for picks makes sense, and a deal gets done as long as they aren't stuck on a first-round pick in return.
- Analysts
- Fantasy Life says Pollard, a 29-year-old in the final year of his deal on a 1-6 Titans team, would make sense to cash out for whatever Tennessee can get.
- Analysts
- SI notes Tyjae Spears would likely become the Titans' starting running back if Pollard is dealt, but will face volatility as fifth-round rookie Nicholas Singleton earns some run.
Still unverified
The listed players are described as 'widely rumored' to be dealt rather than confirmed trades; Taylor trade talk is characterized as rumors, Pollard as a candidate amid 'some buzz,' and reports say rumors circulate that the Colts may move Keenan Allen alongside Josh Downs' trade request.