FantasyPros Accuracy Award

2025 Accuracy Award Winner

Close FantasyPros Accuracy Award
Open Nav
Players
    Articles
      Shark Bites
        Show Navigation
        Show Menu
        FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

        DJ Giddens Looking Like the Jonathan Taylor Handcuff; Maybe More

        By Matt Schauf | Updated on Tue, Jul 29 2025 11:02 AM UTC
        DJ Giddens Headshot

        Jonathan Taylor dominated Colts backfield work last season, ranking second league wide in opportunity share (carries plus targets, adjusted for games missed) and fifth in carries despite missing three full contests. But Indy needs a better backup plan than last year's Trey Sermon-Tyler Goodson combo. And fifth-round rookie DJ Giddens looks like the early leader to replace that pair. According to ESPN's Stephen Holder, though, Giddens also looks like a candidate to siphon some receiving work even when Taylor's healthy.

        What They're Saying

        HC Shane Steichen: "He's kind of a glider. He's got good burst, good vision. The stretch-cut stuff on the outside zones have been really impressive last week and today in pads. Really looking forward to his progress."

        Holder: "The Colts see Giddens as a potential third-down back who will bring the dual threat of running the ball and catching it out of the backfield with what Steichen described as 'natural' hands."

        More from Holder: "Taylor ... remains the Colts' starter, but the passing game is considered one of his weaknesses."

        2025 Fantasy Football Impact

        Taylor caught a career-low 1.3 receptions per game last season. So he could lose some receiving work to Giddens and still beat that number, as long as the pass offense improves vs. 2024 -- and especially if Daniel Jones beats Anthony Richardson for the starting job.

        We already have Taylor projected for just 37th among RBs in targets and receptions per game. So we're not too worried about Giddens' receiving impacting the starter's fantasy value.

        The rookie, however, could rank among the league's top handcuff options if he continues down this path.

        No one should bet on Giddens matching Taylor as a runner if pressed into duty. But he'd be a strong candidate to take on all -- or at least nearly all -- of Taylor's work should the starter go down. And if the rookie does hit the season with coaches even more confident in his receiving than in Taylor's, his case would only be stronger.

        The potential for Giddens to act as a direct replacement for Taylor in the Colts' lineup makes him one of the few handcuffs I'd consider attaching to my starter (assuming I already have Taylor). And he presents plenty of upside as a late-round stash even if you don't have Taylor.

        Other Winners & Losers

        Giddens will need to hold off Khalil Herbert. But Herbert couldn't even get on the field for the Bengals last season after arriving via trade following Zack Moss' neck injury. Herbert's career is already trending downward heading into his age-27 season.

        Matt Schauf Author Image
        Matt Schauf, Editor
        Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.
        Video: Woody Marks and Injury Fallout Lead Week 5 Waiver Talk

        Video: Woody Marks and Injury Fallout Lead Week 5 Waiver Talk

        9:16pm UTC 9/30/25

        Woody Marks tops Week 5 waivers, but first we hit the fallout from injuries to Tyreek Hill and Malik Nabers. Plus top QB and defense streamers for the bye weeks.

        Read More »
        Waiver Wire Pickups Week 5: Did You Wait Too Long to Grab Woody Marks?

        Waiver Wire Pickups Week 5: Did You Wait Too Long to Grab Woody Marks?

        11:47am UTC 9/30/25

        Week 4 gave us a pair of breakthrough RB performances ... and a pair of killer WR injuries. Those factors plus a hot new QB candidate drive these Week 5 waiver wire targets.

        Read More »
        Streaming Defense Week 5: Grab Browns' Elite Pass Rush

        Streaming Defense Week 5: Grab Browns' Elite Pass Rush

        10:22pm UTC 9/29/25

        Need a streaming defense for Week 5? The Cleveland Browns may be a long way from Ohio, but their defense will be right at home in fantasy lineups.

        Read More »
        Money Back You have our personal money-back guarantee: If you’re not happy with our service for any reason, just reach out by December 31, 2025, and we’ll give you 100% of your subscription money back. No strings attached.  You can cancel with one-click from your account page anytime.
        Compare Plans » Compare Plans »