Is Trey Sermon or Evan Hull the RB2 for the Colts?

May 21, 2024

Who is the backup running back for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024? Who is Jonathan Taylor's backup? Read the 2024 fantasy football outlook.

As of right now, Jonathan Taylor is healthy and ready to roll for Week 1, unlike last season. He is expected to handle the workload on the ground for Indianapolis, but the 25-year-old has missed 13 games over the past two seasons.

Zack Moss, who filled in nicely for Taylor a season ago, has departed to compete for the RB1 job in Cincinnati. The Colts did not address the position in the draft or in free agency, leaving a handful of unproven backs in the mix behind Taylor.

Journeyman Trey Sermon and second-year running back Evan Hull are amongst the young players in the mix for the fantasy-friendly role behind Taylor. Which should you be targeting in the late rounds of fantasy drafts?

Who is the Indianapolis Colts' RB2?

Trey Sermon is entering his fourth season in the league. After starting in San Francisco, he bounced to Philadelphia and eventually wound up in Indianapolis last season. In a reserve role last season, he rushed 35 times for 160 yards. Fantasy managers were once excited about Sermon as a third-round rookie, but he had a far fall and is now clinging onto what seems like a final shot to make it in the league.

Evan Hull was a fifth-rounder in the 2023 draft out of Northwestern. He was set to split the running-back job in the season opener with Deon Jackson but suffered a season-ending knee injury after just seven yards on two touches. 

Tyler Goodson, the third-year running back out of Iowa who infamously dropped a fourth-down pass to fall to the Houston Texans in Week 18 last season, is also on the roster and could compete after rushing 13 times for 87 yards in 2023.

Evan Hull is about as cheap as you’ll find a 2nd year back in a good offense without any real competition to be a direct backup.

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— Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls) May 18, 2024

While it is possible that Indianapolis brings in a veteran such as Dalvin Cook, Latavius Murray, or Kareem Hunt to back up Taylor, Hull cannot be ignored. Sermon and Goodson have proven to be journeymen that are better suited for a practice squad role, while there is a lot to like about Hull’s game. He was a high-touch power back at Northwestern and has proven pass-catching ability with 851 receiving yards through three seasons in college.

Hull still has to win the job and fend off any potential veterans, but he has the ability to be an effective do-it-all back if called upon. He’s practically free in dynasty and should be added in every league.

Verdict: Evan Hull

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