The Dallas Cowboys have a sneaky bit of depth at running back, with Israel Abanikanda emerging as a contender for the backup RB position. Abanikanda, a late addition to last year's practice squad, may be a more meaningful presence this summer than you think. With a strong college career at Pitt, Abanikanda entered the NFL draft process with the label of an athletically gifted runner, mixing power and speed, but lacking in technique. Considered a mid-round prospect in the 2023 draft class, Abanikanda was taken in the fifth round by the Jets. He survived final cuts but was stuck behind Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook on the depth chart. He only dressed for six games near the end of the season and received just 22 total carries in those limited appearances. It would get worse in 2024. The Jets drafted two more RBs that year, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, and pushed Abanikanda further down the depth chart. They still kept him on the 53 for three months, though, before finally releasing him in early December. The 49ers claimed Abanikanda off waivers for the final few games of the regular season, but he never got any playing time. San Francisco waived Abanikanda just before the start of its 2025 training camp, but he was claimed by Green Bay. He made it onto the Packers' practice squad briefly, but was released in early September. He didn't get a new home until the Cowboys signed him to their practice in late November. He remained there through the season and signed a new deal to stay with Dallas this offseason. While he has zero guaranteed money on the deal, Abanikanda doesn't have to worry too much about finances working against him in the RB competition. None of Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, or Phil Mafah have financial entanglements in their contracts, so Dallas can make their decision purely based on performance. Many see the RB2 competition as a two-horse race between Blue and Davis, though some would add Mafah to the list. And there is still a thought that J