Who Should I Start? Jordan Mason or Israel Abanikanda

Monday, January 8, 1:46 PM

San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan Mason had the opportunity for a big workload in a Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday in a game in which the Niners were resting plenty of players with a first-round bye in the playoffs already locked up. However, Elijah Mitchell led the team with 14 carries for 52 yards and a touchdown, while Mason had only six rushing attempts and gained 36 yards on the ground. He added one catch for a 12-yard pickup. Mason wraps up his second regular season in the NFL with 40 rushing attempts for 206 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games, adding three receptions for 31 yards. The 24-year-old mostly played special teams in 2023 while serving as the No. 3 behind Christian McCaffrey and Mitchell, which will likely continue when the team resumes play in the Divisional Round in two weeks.

Friday, December 29, 12:25 PM

New York Jets rookie running back Israel Abanikanda has seemingly leapfrogged Dalvin Cook as the No. 2 back behind Breece Hall with the team playing out the string of another lost season in 2023. Abanikanda carried the ball twice for three yards and caught a season-high four passes on seven targets for 27 yards in Thursday night's 37-20 loss to the visiting Cleveland Browns. The 21-year-old rookie also lost a fumble on a kickoff return in the first half. Abanikanda saw a career-high nine carries in last week's win over the Washington Commanders and should be more involved behind Hall in the team's Week 18 regular season finale against the New England Patriots on Jan. 7. He figures to be more involved in a complementary role in 2024 and should be stashed in dynasty/keeper leagues.