The Indianapolis Colts continued Day 3 of the NFL draft on the offensive side of the ball after selecting Kansas State running back DJ Giddens with the No. 151 overall pick in the fifth round.
The selection of Giddens adds competition for the RB2 spot on the depth chart behind Jonathan Taylor. He will be in a battle in training camp with Khalil Herbert, Tyler Goodson, and Salvon Ahmed.
Not only does the addition of Giddens add competition to the running back room, it also provides future depth because, entering this weekend, Taylor was the only running back under contract for the 2026 season.
What the Colts are getting in Giddens is an athletic back who ran a 4.43 40-yard time with a 1.53 10-yard split at the combine. He plays the position with patience, has solid vision, and is a one-cut-and-go type of runner who has the speed to take it to the house.
He also fits the running style of Shane Steichen’s offense because of the quarterbacks he will be playing with. 37% of his rushes in 2024 came off the zone read per Stephen Holder of ESPN.
Giddens can also make an impact on the passing attack. He had 50 catches in his two starting seasons for the Wildcats. But for him to earn a third-down role, he will have to make a major improvement on his pass-blocking ability in the lead-up to the season.
The pick of Giddens gets a good grade from me because he has a path to be a contributor this season as a fifth-round pick and provides future value as the backup to Taylor in the 2026 season.
Grade: B+
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