The Indianapolis Colts stuck on the offensive side of the ball with their second Day 3 selection of the NFL draft by taking Kansas State running back DJ Giddens with the No. 151 overall pick in the fifth round.
How does that impact the running back depth chart?
There is no question who the RB1 is. Jonathan Taylor is the bellcow of the offense, but the hope should be that the options behind him can help keep him healthy and fresh throughout the 17-game schedule. Plus, be a complement to him to benefit the passing attack.
Giddens will enter training camp in a competition for the RB2 spot behind Taylor with Khalil Herbert, Tyler Goodson, and Salvon Ahmed. The ideal scenario is that one of them will seize the opportunity in the preseason, but it is plausible that this could play into the season until the coaching staff determines who deserves the most snaps from the backups.
The new rookie running back will likely start at the bottom of the depth chart since Shane Steichen will likely lean on the veterans to start the season unless he puts together an impressive summer.
As the season goes along, if Giddens takes advantage of the snaps he gets, he can start to carve out a larger role. Plus, the coaching staff could want to start grooming him for the backup role in 2026 in the back half of the schedule, since he and Taylor are the only running backs on the roster who are under contract after this season.
It should be considered that Day 3 picks aren’t locks to make the 53-man roster, as we have seen from Chris Ballard’s past draft classes. The Colts only kept three running backs after last year’s cut deadline, so Giddens will have to earn his spot on the team.
Colts depth chart
RB:
1. Jonathan Taylor
2. Khalil Herbert
3. Tyler Goodson
4. DJ Giddens
5. Salvon Ahmed
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