Who Should I Start? Israel Abanikanda or Owen Wright

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.

Sunday, August 10, 9:00 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Owen Wright put together a strong performance on the ground during Saturday's preseason matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Wright rushed the ball 18 times for 87 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown in the first quarter. It was the first preseason game, so a majority of the Bucs backups took the field in this one. Wright is currently competing for a spot on the roster behind Bucky Irving and Rachaad White. There's unlikely to be fantasy value here, but maybe a strong preseason can earn Wright a spot on the roster.