The Indianapolis Colts made headlines in the seventh round of the NFL draft by selecting running back Seth McGowan, a pick that could ripple through fantasy football circles. While late-round selections often fly under the radar, McGowan's arrival brings intriguing questions for the 2026 fantasy season—especially regarding his potential impact on star running back Jonathan Taylor and fellow rookie D.J. Giddens.

At first glance, McGowan faces an uphill battle. He'll turn 25 in October, which is considered older for a rookie, and has struggled with ball security in the past. These factors contributed to his late-round draft status. However, the Colts saw enough potential to bring him aboard, and for good reason: Indianapolis lacks depth behind the workhorse Taylor.

Jonathan Taylor remains one of fantasy football's most reliable options when healthy—but that's a big "when." Over the past three seasons, Taylor has missed significant time: three games in 2024, seven in 2023, and six in 2022. His 17-game 2024 campaign was an exception, not the rule, for a back who has been among the most heavily used in the league this decade.

This is where McGowan and Giddens enter the picture. With no other notable competition for the backup role, both rookies will battle for the coveted handcuff position behind Taylor. It's possible neither secures the No. 2 spot outright during training camp, leading to a dreaded "hot-hand approach" if Taylor ever misses time. For fantasy managers who invest in Taylor, this creates a tricky situation: you may need to draft both McGowan and Giddens to protect your investment. The silver lining? You can likely snag both with your final two picks, making it a low-risk, high-reward strategy.

As the 2026 season approaches, keep an eye on Colts training camp battles. McGowan's path to fantasy relevance is narrow, but in a league where opportunity is everything, he's just one injury away from being a name on everyone's waiver wire radar.