Three Potential Landing Spots for Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda
INDIANAPOLIS -- Pitt Panthers running back Israel Abanikanda was one of the most explosive running backs in college football this year, finishing his third and final season as a Panther with an NCAA-leading 20 touchdowns and ACC-leading 1,431 yards.
When Abanikanda arrives in Indianapolis, Indiana for the NFL Combine this week, there will be plenty of teams eager to add his special combination of power and speed, but where are the best fits for him?
Las Vegas Raiders: Picks 7, 38, 70, 109, 143, 146, 189, 198, 209
The early stages of contract negotiations with star tailback Josh Jacobs are off to a rough start. Earlier this month, Jacobs said he felt he was in control of his situation, implying he wouldn't accept a deal below his own perceived value. Without any depth to speak of behind him, the Raiders will be in the market for a three-down tailback that can carry a heavy workload without the baggage of a heavy contract for a team already saddled with hefty salaries for Maxx Crosby, Chandler Jones, Kolton Miller and Davante Adams.
Enter Izzy, a projected mid-round pick without much wear on his tires - just 428 total touches over 30 career collegiate games - plus the explosiveness and power necessary to support Las Vegas’ first quarterback of the post-Derek Carr Era.
Las Vegas doesn’t seem intent on resigning Jacobs and that might work out for them. They can address more pressing needs in the defensive secondary and trenches before snagging a home run-hitting running back later in the Draft.
Arizona Cardinals: Picks 3, 34, 66, 105, 169, 180
The Cardinals and new head coach Jon Gannon are on the verge of a full-fledged rebuild. Rumors that the team is seeking to move Denadre Hopkins and rid themselves of Deandre Hopkins’ more than $30 million cap hit are swirling and that fact makes James Conner’s nearly $10.5 million dollar cap hit even less attractive too.
Should Arizona decide to throw themselves fully into a rebuild, Conner’s contract is a logical place to create more cap space via trade or waivers but doing so would mean Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort would need to reach into the draft for a new tailback.
Abanikanda can be a cheap - even by rookie standards - option that adds speed to an offense in desperate need of it. All you need to do to convince yourself of the fit is imagine Kyler Murray and Abanikanda running read options.
Buffalo Bills: Picks 27, 59, 91, 130, 139, 205
An early exit from the playoffs this winter left the Bills with a sour taste in their mouths. Failing to come up with enough stops against Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, Tee Higgins and the myriad of other weapons the Cincinnati Bengals have is one thing but this is one of the most productive offenses in the NFL and they managed just 10 points in that game. As a result, Bills general manager Brandon Beane arrived in Indianapolis this week looking for explosive offensive players.
"You don't want to have to rely on that 10, 11, 12-play drive every time," Beane said. "Sometimes that three-play drive can be nice."
In his lone season as the lead tailback at Pitt, Abanikanda broke off runs of 20 or more yards with ease. His decisiveness and flat-out speed is exactly what the doctor ordered for a Buffalo offense that was forced to lean too heavily on Josh Allen's arm and Stefon Diggs' hands this season.
There is a crowded running backs room in Buffalo and whether or not leading rusher Devin Singletary leaves in free agency is yet to be determined. Still, with the notion of Singletary leaving hanging over their heads, Buffalo will do their due diligence this week and throughout the draft process in scouting potential replacements.
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