Who Should I Start? Israel Abanikanda or Jarquez Hunter
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3 | 8.6 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 |
Israel Abanikanda News
Monday, September 9, 7:44 PM
New York Jets running back Israel Abanikanda is a healthy scratch for the team's Week 1 regular-season opener at Levi's Stadium on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Abanikanda enters the 2024 season as the team's RB4 behind starter and bell-cow Breece Hall and rookies Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. As such, the 21-year-old is obviously off the fantasy radar in most single-year leagues for the time being unless injuries push him into a relevant game-day role. The former fifth-round pick out of Pittsburgh last year was also buried on the depth chart in his rookie season and finished with 22 carries for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards in only six games. Abanikanda has breakaway speed but is once again buried on the depth chart and will have to wait for his opportunity beyond Week 1.
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 6.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 |
Jarquez Hunter News
Wednesday, July 1, 5:13 AM
Los Angeles Rams running back Jarquez Hunter was active for only five games and did not register a single offensive snap as a fourth-round rookie in 2025. While 2024 third-round pick Blake Corum enjoyed a modest year-two breakout after a quiet rookie season of his own, that second-season surge is precisely what makes Hunter's own path to fantasy relevance so difficult to envision. Corum is projected for an even larger role in 2026, while Kyren Williams remains one of the most trustworthy running backs in the league, averaging more than 1,450 yards from scrimmage and almost 15 touchdowns over the past three seasons. Head coach Sean McVay has tended to lean on a single bell cow back, occasionally mixing in a second runner when his depth charts have allowed for it, but only one time in nine seasons has he seen a third running back handle at least 50 carries. Hunter possesses a rare blend of burst and power, and the Rams' backfield under McVay has been among fantasy's most productive should he ever see an opportunity for extended work. However, history suggests that opportunity will not be coming in 2026, and at RotoBaller's RB86, Hunter has become an unfortunate drop candidate for dynasty managers facing a roster crunch.
Israel Abanikanda vs. Jarquez Hunter
Still trying to decide between Abanikanda and Hunter? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Israel Abanikanda is projected to score 1.3 points this week while Jarquez Hunter is projected to score 1.0 points.
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