Jets Cut Running Back to Expose NFL Draft Weakness

Former fifth-round rookie running back Israel Abanikanda was on the team for the better part of the last two seasons in New York. While he never truly got playing time, he had been more of a healthy scratch in most games. … and now he’s been cut - exposing a draft weakness.

The fact that the Jets kept him on the roster as a failed late-round pick while sacrificing other players on the practice squad or who would have otherwise made the 53-man roster, shows New York's big failing in the GM Joe Douglas era. 

During the former general manager's tenure, New York took running backs in all five drafts. While there was the occasion hit like Breece Hall, the Jets' penchant for taking chances in the later rounds ultimately were wasted selections. 

Could the team have used those later picks for a rotational edge defender or offensive lineman? Why did the team ignore so many positions except running back every draft? 

No one will ever get a clear answer as to New York's goals in finding late-round running backs. 

With Abanikanda finally released from the active roster just days after Nwangwu's emergence, though, it highlights just how bad New York has missed in the draft when it comes to the allocation of resources. … 

And how much the Jets really need to figure things out on the personnel side.