Should I Draft Deon Jackson? Fantasy Football Outlook

The Indianapolis Colts' running back room is a mess right now. Jonathan Taylor (ankle) will miss at least the first four weeks of the regular season with an injury after not being activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Tuesday. On top of that, the Pro Bowler and ownership are in a feud over contract negotiations. 

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That leaves the door open for the rest of the Colts' running backs to take over the RB1 job -- for the time being. Deon Jackson, Zack Moss, and rookie Evan Hull are the only three runners remaining on the depth chart to fight for that top spot. 

Should you draft Jackson in fantasy? Is he the RB1? Let's take a closer look. 

Who Is The Colts' RB1?

If Taylor resolves the injury and contract situations with the Colts by Week 5, he should step in and be their RB1 immediately. But that's highly unlikely, as both sides are frustrated. Even if he does come back when eligible in Week 5, Indianapolis will need to fill their top running back void for Weeks 1 through 4. 

Jackson, Moss, and Hull are all likely to be in the running for it. Jackson provides much flexibility in the passing game, while Moss is more of a downhill runner. On the other hand, Hull is a fifth-round pick who really excelled running with the first-team offense in the team's final preseason game.

As the Colts head into Week 1 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, it's probably too tough to say who Indianapolis will start. It will likely be a running back by committee with Moss starting and getting goal-line work, Jackson mixing in on pass-catching downs, and Hull filling in when needed.

Should I Draft Deon Jackson In Fantasy Football?

No one knows how the Colts' backfield will shake out this season or even in the first couple of weeks. When Taylor missed the final four weeks of the 2022 season, it was Moss -- not Jackson -- who got most of the work.

Moss saw 55-plus percent of the team snaps in every game during the final four weeks. Jackson only averaged 28% of the team's snaps during that same stretch to end the year. Moss was also highly efficient in those weeks, rushing for at least 65 yards in every contest. 

Add Hull to the mix as well, and the Colts' backfield becomes even more of a mystery entering the season. Moss might miss the start of the season with an injury, though, which could open the door for Jackson. But with the uncertainties of this group, Jackson is only worth a late-round flier in 12-plus team leagues. 

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