Who Should I Start? Pierre Strong Jr. or Israel Abanikanda

Sunday, October 27, 9:48 AM

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. is expected to serve as the top backup for the Week 8 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Browns are shorthanded at running back with Jerome Ford (hamstring) sidelined again. That means, Strong should get mixed in as the change-of-pace back behind Nick Chubb. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect much from Strong considering he rushed for six yards on three attempts last week. His role is likely going to be minimal with Chubb gaining more snaps each week. Fantasy managers should be able to find more production elsewhere.

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.