IsraelAbanikanda

News: 10 hours agoAbanikanda now sits third on the Jets' depth chart at running back after the team waived Michael Carter on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Spin: Carter had served as the Jets' third-down running back for most of the season, handling about a quarter of the team's snap on offense through the first nine games while playing behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook. While Carter's departure may open up a few extra snaps for Cook, it also paves the way for Abanikanda -- who has been inactive for all nine games to date -- to suit up for the first time in his NFL career. The rookie fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh rushed for 1,431 yards and 20 touchdowns during his final season of college, but he saw limited involvement in the passing game (12-146-1 receiving line on 20 targets). Given that Hall and Cook are proven pass catchers, and Hall is a uniquely effective rusher, Abanikanda may not have a defined role in the game plan this Sunday at Buffalo.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Abanikanda was selected in the fifth round of April's draft. The Pittsburgh product has good size and is a former sprinter with excellent speed. Abanikanda had a breakout rushing season in 2022, totaling a 239-1,431-20 line in 11 games, though his receiving work was roughly cut in half from 2021. Abanikanda's advanced efficiency stats are a red flag, especially his career 2.7 YAC, which is dead last in this rookie RB class (his forced missed tackle rate ranked 22nd out of 26). Of course, he's also the youngest back in this class (20), so there's plenty of time for development behind Breece Hall and Co. in New York. He's only worth stashing in dynasty.