Indianapolis Colts rookie running back DJ Giddens is making waves in camp, solidifying himself as the No. 2 option behind Jonathan Taylor. The Kansas State product brings a strong mix of power and elusiveness that has quickly carried over to the NFL level. Impressively, Giddens has also flashed as a dependable pass-catcher, an area where Taylor has often struggled. With three-down ability and a clear role, Giddens is a strong late-round stash in redraft leagues and an appealing dynasty investment. He profiles as one of the higher-upside handcuffs in fantasy, especially if Taylor were to miss time.
Aug 22, 2025 12:45 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens carried the ball six times for 17 yards and failed to corral his lone target in a 24-16 preseason loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. Giddens and Tyler Goodson split the work throughout the first half of the game before ultimately giving way to Khalil Herbert at the beginning of the third quarter. Giddens finished with a long run of seven yards while averaging 2.8 yards per carry in the contest. The fifth-round rookie out of Kansas State is fighting to open the regular season as the primary backup behind Jonathan Taylor. His next chance to make an impression will come in the Colts' second preseason game, which will be next Saturday against the Green Bay Packers.
Aug 8, 2025 9:11 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back DJ Giddens has stood out in training camp and looks like "the most talented backup the Colts have ever had" to star running back Jonathan Taylor, according to Destin Adams of A to Z Sports. A fifth-round pick out of Kansas State, Giddens gained over 1,600 yards from scrimmage in 12 games last season for the Wildcats. Early reporting out of Colts' camp indicates that the 21-year-old is leading the RB2 battle over veterans Khalil Herbert and Tyler Goodson. While Taylor is likely to dominate carries in Indianapolis, Giddens could earn his way onto the field on passing downs and make an impact as a receiver out of the backfield. If he continues his strong play throughout the preseason, Giddens could emerge as a valuable late-round handcuff option in fantasy.
Aug 2, 2025 3:11 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens has had a strong start to training camp and looks like the RB2 behind workhorse Jonathan Taylor. Giddens has ripped off a few highlights on cutback runs as the pads have come on in practice. Head coach Shane Steichen has provided glowing reviews of the team's 2025 fifth-round pick, saying, "he's kind of a glider." He continues gushing about his burst and vision, as well as his ability to thrive on outside zone runs. The Kansas State product is seen as a potential third-down back who has the ability to be dynamic as a runner and as a receiver out of the backfield, with Steichen noting his "natural" hands. As part of a really strong 2025 running back class, Giddens has a strong collegiate profile with a career 6.0 yards per carry at Kansas State. He is one of the more valuable handcuffs in fantasy this year behind Jonathan Taylor.
Jul 29, 2025 12:53 AM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back DJ Giddens scored a long touchdown against the first-team defense during team drills in practice on Monday, according to Angela Moryan of WISH-TV News. The Colts drafted Giddens out of Kansas St. in the fifth round of this year's draft. He put up big numbers in 2024 for the Wildcats, rushing for 1,343 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 258 yards and a score as a receiver. Indianapolis has superstar Jonathan Taylor entrenched as their RB1, but there could be an opportunity for Giddens to win the primary backup job away from veterans Khalil Herbert and Tyler Goodson. If Giddens does make an impact this year as a rookie, it will likely be as a receiver out of the backfield. That's an area where Taylor does not see heavy usage, so Giddens' quickest path to playing time may be in a third-down role.
Jul 28, 2025 2:08 PM EST
Indianapolis Colts rookie running back DJ Giddens will likely have the opportunity to win the RB2 job, and he could earn a weekly role on offense if he proves capable in the pass-blocking and pass-catching game, according to team reporter Jake Arthur. "Giddens may carve out some sort of role regardless of what's going on ahead of him with Jonathan Taylor and/or Khalil Herbert," Arthur wrote. "The Colts really like Giddens." The Kansas State product was the No. 151 overall pick (fifth-round) in the 2025 NFL Draft after posting 2,469 rushing yards, 581 receiving yards, and 21 total touchdowns over his final two collegiate seasons. He'll be competing with Herbert and Tyler Goodson to earn a spot behind Jonathan Taylor. For now, he's a late-round handcuff stash in deeper fantasy football leagues, but he's worth monitoring early in his first professional campaign.
Jun 5, 2025 2:27 PM EST
The Indianapolis Colts added former Kansas State running back DJ Giddens in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and James Boyd of The Athletic believes he is poised to beat out Tyler Goodson as the team's top pass-catching back. The team added Khalil Herbert this offseason to replace Trey Sermon, but Giddens profiles as more of a receiver after snagging 50 receptions over his final two collegiate seasons. That said, Indianapolis ranked 30th in total running back targets a season ago (65), so Giddens is unlikely to have standalone upside as a backup to Jonathan Taylor. Instead, he'll be more of an interesting handcuff back that could have flex value in the case of a Taylor injury. Giddens was a fifth-rounder, though, so it's too early to assume he'll have any role in Indy's offense.
May 6, 2025 3:43 PM EST
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