Who Should I Start? Israel Abanikanda or Terrell Jennings

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.

Thursday, August 8, 10:44 PM

New England Patriots running back Terrell Jennings rushed for 38 yards on six carries during Thursday's preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. He also contributed in the passing game, hauling in both of his targets for a total of 11 yards. Jennings is a 23-year-old undrafted rookie out of Florida A&M. Despite his strong pro debut on Thursday, he faces an uphill battle to make the roster behind the likes of Rhamondre Stevenson, Antonio Gibson, Kevin Harris, and JaMycal Hasty. He can be avoided in all fantasy formats.