Is Braelon Allen Or Israel Abanikanda The RB2 For The Jets?

The New York Jets have one of the top running backs in the NFL. Breece Hall was a fantasy superstar last season, ending the year as the RB4, averaging 14.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

While Hall is an elite running back, the Jets have invested multiple NFL Draft picks in their backfield. They used a fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Israel Abanikanda. New York spent a fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Braelon Allen and a fifth-rounder on Isaiah Davis.

All three running backs have fans in the fantasy football world. However, Davis isn’t considered in the running to be the No. 2 running back for the Jets. So, is Allen or Abanikanda the RB2 in New York?

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Braelon Allen’s 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Allen had an outstanding college career, totaling 3,494 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns in three years at Wisconsin. While he is a bigger running back, the former Wisconsin star also had 49 receptions for 275 receiving yards in college.

The rookie is the youngest player in the NFL. He turned 20 years old in January. Yet, Allen is built like a tank. If he can earn the No. 2 running back role, the rookie could have massive fantasy upside if given the chance.

Braelon Allen might be the BIGGEST running back in the NFL.

Oh, and he’s the youngest player in the ENTIRE LEAGUE (Jan. 20, 2004)

It’s SCARY HOURS in New York 😳 pic.twitter.com/RdSp1M1TmR

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) June 1, 2024

Israel Abanikanda’s 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

While Abanikanda had a massive college career, the former Pittsburgh star fell to the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, he didn’t make an impact as a rookie, totaling 22 rushing attempts for 70 yards and zero touchdowns. Abanikanda also contributed seven receptions on 11 targets for 43 receiving yards in six games last year.

The former fifth-round pick was productive during the preseason, posting 25 rushing attempts for 113 yards and a touchdown in three games. He also had the first touchdown of the 2023 preseason, but his flashes of upside didn't translate to the regular season.

First TD of the preseason goes to Israel Abanikanda! 😤

📺: @ProFootballHOF Game on NBC
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/bDdH0uvRfp pic.twitter.com/wALo3hSwJY

— NFL (@NFL) August 4, 2023

Who Is The RB2 For The Jets

Barring injury, neither running back will have fantasy value in 2024 because of Hall. Hall accounted for 71% of the backfield’s rushing attempts and 74% of the targets in 2023. He scored 252.5 fantasy points last year.

By comparison, the rest of the backfield had 55.5 fantasy points. Allen and Abanikanda could have nearly zero fantasy value unless Hall misses time with an injury. That said, Allen is reportedly the early favorite to win the primary backup job, making him worth stashing in deep formats.

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