Israel Abanikanda saving his NY Jets roster spot in the preseason

NY Jets running back Israel Abanikanda has been buried on the depth chart this offseason. The former fifth-round pick found himself plummeting down the depth chart following the additions of Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis in the 2024 NFL Draft.

It quickly became apparent that not only was Abanikanda not a serious contender for the Jets' RB2 job behind Breece Hall but that he was suddenly fighting to save his roster spot.

As the months have gone, it's seemed more and more likely that Abanikanda would not be a member of the Jets' 53-man roster come September. But the tide has changed a little in recent weeks, and his performance against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday did a lot to help his case.

Abanikanda led the Jets in rushing, finishing with 29 yards on six carries for a healthy average of 4.8 yards per carry. The 21-year-old running back showed excellent acceleration and decisiveness, breaking off a 12-yard run on one of his first touches of the game.

His performance was enough to earn some praise from his head coach, Robert Saleh, during the team's post-game press conference.

"I thought [Abanikanda] ran the ball really well in the third quarter, being decisive, getting his foot in the ground, and getting vertical."

- Robert Saleh

Israel Abanikanda might make the NY Jets' roster after all

It's been a difficult offseason for Abanikanda, who entered the draft as the Jets' de facto RB2 behind Hall, only to immediately lose his spot to a pair of Day 3 rookies.

Abanikanda failed to impress in limited opportunities as a rookie, struggling as a blocker, pass-catcher, and returner. If the coaching staff doesn't trust him to play special, block, catch, or hold onto the ball, it's hard to find consistent playing time.

It also doesn't help that the Jets' moves this offseason have signaled a shift to more of a power run gap-blocking scheme. Abanikanda was drafted to be an ideal fit in the Jets' wide zone scheme, and while elements of both will likely be used, the Jets are clearly looking to go in a different direction.

Abanikanda would be a much better fit on a team like the San Francisco 49ers or Miami Dolphins where he can highlight his speed and outside run ability. He's currently a poor fit on this Jets' team.

Still, the Jets seem likely to carry four running backs on their active roster, and he seems to be well ahead of both Xazavian Valladay and Deon Jackson in that battle. If the Jets carry four running backs, Abanikanda likely makes the cut.

That doesn't mean he's going to have a role or that he'll be active on game days, but he's proving why the Jets should at least keep him around this summer. After all, at just 21 years old, there's still time for him to continue developing.

Israel Abanikanda has shown important signs of growth in the Jets' first two preseason games, and with a strong performance next week, he might just be able to secure a roster spot after all.

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