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Running back Breece Hall Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Which Jets RBs will stay, go after Dalvin Cook signing?

By Matthew Neschis | Last updated 8/15/23

The New York Jets have too many cooks in the kitchen after signing a star free-agent running back.

Dalvin Cook and the Jets agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $8.6 million on Monday, providing QB Aaron Rodgers with yet another weapon on offense.

Following the acquisition of Cook, New York now sports five running backs on the team. With the 53-man roster cut deadline fast approaching, it's more than likely one of these halfbacks will soon find themselves on the chopping block.

Here's a look at who's most likely to stay and go.

Breece Hall

Despite Cook's signing, Hall remains the future of the Jets' backfield. Over seven games last season, the 2022 second-round draft pick amassed 681 total yards and five touchdowns while averaging an impressive 5.8 yards per carry.

Hall looked to be running away with the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year award in the first half of the season, but a torn ACL suffered in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos derailed his strong campaign.

It's unclear if Hall will be able to return at full strength as he continues to recover from the serious injury, but the Jets are clearly pleased with his progress. One day after acquiring Cook, New York brought Hall off the PUP list, forming the makings of a formidable 1-2 punch in the backfield.

I’m comin. https://t.co/DHdaUeLzWS
— Breece Hall (@BreeceH) August 15, 2023

Israel Abanikanda

The Jets drafted Abanikanda in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft intent on harnessing the quickness and explosiveness he showcased in college. During his final year at Pitt, the 20-year-old rushed for 1,431 yards and a CFB-best 20 touchdowns.

Abanikanda's freakish athleticism has already translated to the NFL. In two preseason games, the incoming rookie accumulated 119 total yards and a touchdown with several highlight-reel runs.

.@IAbanikanda PUT HIM IN A BLENDER

#NYJvsCAR on NFLN pic.twitter.com/LMKc6Sc186
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 12, 2023

New York invested recent draft capital in Abanikanda and are pleasantly surprised by his early output, seemingly solidifying his spot on the roster.

Michael Carter

Carter remains the biggest question mark among the Jets backfield as he enters his third season in the NFL. The UNC-product heavily impressed his rookie year but took a significant step back his sophomore season.

Over the first 14 games of his career, Carter routinely showed off his elusiveness and ability to evade intial contact near the line of scrimmage. Yet in 2022, those traits disappeared as he experienced a drop off in nearly every stat. The 24-year-old rushed for 402 yards and 3.5 yards per carry while also grabbing 41 receptions for 288 yards.

Carter has shown glimpses of his former self in preseason, breaking off several nice runs with defenders draped over him. Whether the Jets believe he can replicate his past success remains to be seen.

Zonovan Knight

Knight joined the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and exceeded expectations when given an opportunity to play. In seven games last season, he ran for 300 yards and a touchdown, additionally adding 100 yards through the air.

Of the aforementioned running backs, however, Knight seems most likely to go. The 22-year-old's run style is similar to Cook's, and the Jets never invested a draft pick to acquire his talents.

With several teams around the league in search of backfield depth, it likely won't take long for Knight to find a new home.

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