5 most intriguing NY Jets position battles to watch this summer

2. NY Jets second running back

The Jets are one of a few teams that remain interested in signing four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook. The two sides appear to be apart on money at the moment, but that could change quickly.

Either way, Breece Hall will be the Jets' RB1 this season. The former second-round pick is working his way back from a torn ACL, but all signs point to him being ready for the start of the season.

Even if Hall is active in Week 1, however, the Jets are likely going to ease him into the offensive game plan. That means the battle for the team's RB2 job is a pretty significant one.

Barring a Cook signing, that competition will be between Michael Carter, Zonovan Knight, and rookie fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda. Despite his disappointing sophomore campaign, Carter is the favorite to win the job.

The former North Carolina standout was one of the least efficient running backs in football last season, averaging an abysmal 3.5 yards per carry. He wasn't exactly helped by some lackluster offensive line play, but Carter didn't look like the same player he was the prior season.

Knight, meanwhile, flashed and even took over for Carter at a point, but he also tapered out as the season went on. Abanikanda is the player to watch here. The Jets are optimistic that the rookie running back could contribute immediately at the NFL level.

Abanikanda might not win the RB2 job out of camp, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see him take snaps away from Carter and Knight as the season progresses.