Fantasy Alert: Frank Gore Feels Jonathan Taylor Can Hit 2K Yards with Colts in 2024

Having had a close look at Jonathan Taylor's offseason workout to prepare for the upcoming season, Frank Gore is extremely optimistic about the star running back's fantasy outlook in 2024.

Gore told ESPN he "won't be surprised" if Taylor hits the 2,000-yard mark for the Indianapolis Colts if he stays healthy.

"If he stays healthy, I won't be surprised if he gets 2,000 [yards]," Gore said. "With his ability and with the way he moves, it's crazy. I already knew he was fast. But what I like is how he moves in small spaces, man. I didn't think he had that."

Gore hosted a group of running backs in Florida during the offseason to offer advice on how he prepared his body to sustain a 16-year NFL career. They all took part in workouts, with Taylor being a clear standout.

"Training with [Taylor], you could see it. He's got even better. JT is built different, man," Gore added.

Taylor had the least-productive season of his career in 2023 due to a combination of factors. The two main issues were a contract dispute with the Colts that kept him out for their first four games and a thumb injury that cost him three games in December.

Dating back to the 2022 season, Taylor has only played a total of 21 games. He's been effective in those games with 1,898 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns.

But those numbers don't reflect that of the top-tier fantasy running back that Taylor was in 2021. He led the NFL in rushing attempts (332), rushing yards (1,811), yards from scrimmage (2,171) and total touchdowns (20).

Taylor was the No. 1 running back and No. 6 overall player in PPR leagues during the 2021 season. His 373.1 total points was nearly 30 more than any other running back (Austin Ekeler: 343.8).

Per FantasyPros.com, Taylor is currently the sixth running back coming off the board in fantasy drafts with an average draft position of 12. Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, Breece Hall, Jahmyr Gibbs and Saquon Barkley are the five backs going ahead of him.

Running for 2,000 yards is an extremely optimistic prediction. Only eight players in NFL history have ever hit that mark. Taylor was unable to get there when he was the focal point for the offense three years ago.

Head coach Shane Steichen isn't afraid to rely heavily on the running game to carry the offense, but quarterback Anthony Richardson figures to take some of the attempts away from Taylor.

Richardson's 6.3 rushing attempts per game last season ranked seventh among all quarterbacks. He only played in five games before a shoulder injury that required surgery ended his rookie campaign.

It's possible the injury issues Richardson had last season could make Steichen reluctant to give him the ball on designed runs at the same rate in 2024, but that would take away a huge weapon for the offense since he can run the 40 in 4.4 seconds.

Even if Taylor doesn't hit the projection that Gore thinks he can, there are plenty of reasons to expect a big season from the 25-year-old. He doesn't have to worry about any contract issues and plays for a very good head coach who has a strong track record as an offensive playcaller.