5 former NY Jets draft picks on the chopping block this summer

2. Israel Abanikanda, RB, NY Jets

The Jets' running back situation behind Breece Hall was one of the most prominent talking points of the spring. Rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis both put together strong springs, but the same can't be said for Israel Abanikanda.

A fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Abanikanda didn't see the field much as a rookie, even with veteran Dalvin Cook struggling mightily. The Jets didn't trust Abanikanda in pass protection or as a pass blocker, and the rookie running back also had ball security issues.

Abanikanda failed to impress when given the opportunity, and he now finds himself behind two rookies on the depth chart. Even new signing Tarik Cohen, who hasn't appeared in an NFL game in four years, worked more with the first-team offense in the spring.

The Jets' shift away to more of a power-run offense leaves Abanikanda as the odd man out, and he looks to be fighting an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster this summer. His job status is anything but secure.

1. Zack Kuntz, TE, NY Jets

The Jets knew that Zack Kuntz would be a major developmental project when they used a seventh-round pick on him last year. Kuntz was quite literally the most athletic tight end prospect in NFL history, but he was still learning to actually play the position.

After a quiet summer, it wasn't a huge surprise to see Kuntz's name listed as part of final roster cuts. He did spend the season on the Jets' practice squad, seeing brief action in the team's final regular-season game of the year.

Kuntz didn't do much to stand out this spring, once again struggling with drops. All the while, Jeremy Ruckert and Kenny Yeboah both put together very impressive showings,

Right now, Kuntz is a distant fourth on the Jets' tight-end depth chart, and barring injury or a surprise performance, he looks to be on the outside of the roster bubble looking in. The former Penn State recruit might be practice squad bound again.