Who Should I Start? Israel Abanikanda or Julius Chestnut


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

Israel Abanikanda Exceeding Expectations in Cowboys Camp

Friday, August 21, 12:12 PM

Dallas Cowboys running back Israel Abanikanda has exceeded expectations in training camp so far, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Abanikanda has not appeared in an NFL game since his rookie season in 2023, when he recorded 113 scrimmage yards on 29 touches across six games with the New York Jets. He spent the final portion of the 2025 season on the Cowboys' practice squad and is now competing for a spot on the team's 53-man roster this summer. Dallas has a clear leader in the backfield in running back Javonte Williams. However, the team's RB2 job appears to be an open competition between Jaydon Blue (shoulder), Malik Davis, and Phil Mafah. With all three of those players largely unproven as NFL contributors, Abanikanda may have a chance to work his way into the mix for the Cowboys. In deeper league formats, Abanikanda may be a name for fantasy managers to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of the preseason.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.2 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.0

Julius Chestnut News

Titans Re-Sign Running Back Julius Chestnut to One-Year Deal

Tuesday, March 17, 12:38 PM

The Tennessee Titans re-signed running back Julius Chestnut to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Chestnut will return for his fifth year in Nashville after he went undrafted out of Sacred Heart. In his four years in the NFL with the Titans, the 25-year-old has operated as a backup, carrying the ball only 42 times for 154 yards (3.7 yards per carry) and no rushing touchdowns in 43 games (zero starts). He's added five catches on eight targets for 52 yards as a pass-catcher. With the Titans' backfield largely unchained going into next season, Chestnut will most likely operate primarily in a special-teams role, leaving him mostly unattractive in all fantasy football formats. He was active in all 17 games in 2025, but he saw just 11 rushing attempts for 40 yards. He's currently the RB4 on Tennessee's depth chart behind Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and Kalel Mullings.


Israel Abanikanda vs. Julius Chestnut

Still trying to decide between Abanikanda and Chestnut? 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 Julius Chestnut is projected to score 0.2 points.