When the Jets drafted Pittsburgh running back Izzy Abanikanda in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft, many fans were understandably excited about adding one of college football’s most explosive players. In his final year at Pitt, Abanikanda, with his 4.34 speed, averaged six yards per carry and scored a whopping 20 touchdowns on the ground.
After what was essentially a red shirt year as a rookie, the expectation was that Abanikanda would move up the depth chart and see some real playing time in 2024.
But when Gang Green decided to take Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen in the fourth round of this year’s draft, fans had to be wondering about Abanikanda’s spot on the depth chart.