Who Should I Start? Israel Abanikanda or Rasheen Ali

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.

Friday, August 8, 12:43 AM

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh noted that running back Rasheen Ali was "banged up" during Thursday's 24-16 win over the Colts. Ali finished with nine carries for 37 yards and a touchdown, continuing his bid for a roster spot behind Derrick Henry and Justice Hill. While the top of the depth chart is set, Ali remains a long shot for fantasy value in 2025 without injuries ahead of him. The rookie logged just 10 carries for 31 yards across six games in 2024. His camp status is worth monitoring, especially in deep leagues or for dynasty stash consideration.