Wild Card Weekend: A deal is struck between the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts to exchange Jonathan Taylor and the fourth overall pick with the Colts hoping to get a franchise quarterback in exchange for their running back on an expiring contract.
Pro Bowl Week: The Falcons and Colts both have concerns that trading a RB for a high pick won’t go through as quarterbacks, especially one on a rookie contract for the rest of the cycle has to be more valuable than a running back, no matter how good Taylor is.
Super Bowl Week: MyMadden says Jonathan Taylor’s value is 7000, The Colts and Falcons take this as a good sign that the trade will happen since Derrick Henry, another dominant running back, was traded for a mid first round pick and this one is top 5.
Staff Resign Week: Trades open and the Colts and Falcons agree to send pick 4 and pick 105 for Jonathan Taylor. IT IS REJECTED with the explanation that Taylor is far more valuable than a top 5 pick and a fourth rounder. Trade negotiations resume as this is a top priority to get done before the draft. Taylor had to be bought off the NTL and the Colts refuse to eat those dead content points. The Falcons still would love to bring Taylor back to Greeny.
Final Player Resign Week: The Dolphins join the mix hoping to steal pick 4 and give the Falcons pick 5 to trade away, but the Colts value pick 5 way ahead of pick 4. The Falcons see this as an opportunity to gather picks that they can add to the trade for Taylor. The Dolphins successfully trade up to pick 4 in exchange for pick 5, 37, and 69. The Falcons and reluctant Colts agree in theory to pick 5, 37, and 69 for Jonathan Taylor.
Free Agency Week 1: The Dolphins back out of the trade last second as other teams trade into the top 3 in search of franchise quarterbacks. This leaves the Colts and Falcons back at square 1 while also devaluing pick 4 in the Colts eyes as it no longer promises a franchise quarterback. The Colts and Falcons are in negotiations when the Dolphins again come back into the picture offering pick 6, 37, and a future first for Jonathan Taylor. The Colts would rather ship Taylor to the NFC instead of the AFC and agree to the Falcons offer of picks 4, 36, and a future 2nd.
Free Agency Week 2: IT IS REJECTED and negotiations resume. With Jonathan Taylor refusing to return to the Colts, it looks like he may end up a Dolphin. The Falcons reluctantly jump back in and finally the Colts agree to pick 4, a future first, and a future 2nd for Taylor and it is finally accepted. Through all of the rejected trades, other teams swooping in, and surrounding movement, the Falcons and Colts made the trade happen.
Future Colts Outlook: The Colts have two top 10 picks this year and two first round picks next year to build their roster which has holes at LT, RG, WR, TE, QB, RE, ROLB. The Colts also no longer have to pay a running back a ton of money that could be used for retaining other upcoming expiring contracts like Isaiah Rodgers, Julian Blackmon, Grover Stewart, Michael Pittman, Kenny Moore, and other veterans. The Colts picked up Hightower, a couple of safeties, and Drew Lock to prepare for the draft going any way.
Future Falcons Outlook: Jonathan Taylor reunites with his old coach now in Atlanta. They gave up a lot to get him but they’ll have a huge offensive boost with the best young running back in the league. They also retained their current 2nd round pick to boost another position on their team. The falcons signed a bunch of players including Erik McCoy to make sure their offensive line can provide the holes Taylor needs.
LIVE UPDATE WHILE WRITING THIS: DOLPHINS ACCEPT THE TRADE LIKE A LOSER and negotiations resume… again.
Final trade comes out to: Pick 5, 37, a future first, a future 3rd for Jonathan Taylor and a future 7th. The Colts and Falcons end up with more than they had before the Dolphins reset everything but both feel worse.
This has not been enjoyable, this was h*** for a trade that felt so simple just a few weeks ago.
