Former Virginia Tech RB finds potentially perfect landing spot in free agency

There’s no doubt about it, Jonathan Taylor is a Top 10 running back in the NFL. He’s been a key player for the Indianapolis Colts, proving himself as one of the league’s best backs. While injuries have slowed him down at times, the Colts have now brought in a former Virginia Tech running back to provide backup.

Khalil Herbert has signed a one-year deal with the Colts to serve as an experienced backup for Taylor. This signing is part of a bigger move by Indy, which also brought in quarterback Daniel Jones to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting QB role in the upcoming season.

Herbert’s role won’t be to take snaps from Taylor, but he could be an important third-down back for a Colts team looking to strengthen their depth behind their star running back. After being drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 2021 Draft, Herbert finished the 2021 season as their top running back. However, by the start of 2022, he fell down the depth chart. Injuries sidelined him for most of the 2023 season before he was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals.

In his one season with the Bengals, Herbert rushed for 130 yards and a touchdown on 30 carries. Over four NFL seasons, he has accumulated 1,905 rushing yards on 400 carries and nine touchdowns, along with 53 receptions for 312 yards and two touchdowns.

Herbert spent one season at Virginia Tech after transferring from Kansas, putting up his best college numbers. He rushed 154 times for 1,182 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry and eight touchdowns. He averaged 107.5 yards per game over 11 games in 2020.

This could be a solid opportunity for Herbert to contribute as a backup and play a key role on third downs. The Colts may have made an under-the-radar move with this signing.