DAL Israel Abanikanda
NFL player. Position: RB. Team: DAL.
Quick Facts
- Position: RB
- Team: DAL (Dallas Cowboys)
- Age: 23 (drafted 2023)
- Contract: 2-year deal, $1.08M cap hit in 2026, no guaranteed money
2026 Outlook
Depth RB vying for Cowboys' backup spot in an open competition. Abanikanda has a 20% roster chance per pre-camp projections, competing against Malik Davis, Jaydon Blue, and Phil Mafah. His running style more closely resembles starter Javonte Williams (power and speed) compared to other backup candidates. Key weakness is pass blocking and reading blocks, which he needs to improve to secure a roster spot. At 23 years old, Abanikanda still has youth and potential despite bouncing around the NFL for three years (Jets, 49ers, Packers practice squads before landing with Dallas in late 2025). If he shows refinement in blocking and game-reading, he could break into the backup rotation and provide the Cowboys a complement to Williams (per Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: RB Israel Abanikanda).
July 20 — listed in "work to do" category at training camp: Fort Worth Star-Telegram's depth chart places Abanikanda in the "WORK TO DO" tier, noting the Dallas scouting department has had "long interest" in him dating back to his college days at Pittsburgh (2023). However, after being cut late in the 2025 season, he'll need to show he "still has the same pop and explosion that initially put him on the Cowboys' radar three years ago." The long scouting history suggests upside, but his roster spot is far from secure in a crowded RB room. (per Cowboys Depth Chart: Big role awaits winner of running back battle - Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Role / Depth Chart
Backup RB competing in an open camp battle. Cowboys value experience on the depth chart and have historically prioritized veteran backups, but the 2026 competition is wide open with no clear frontrunner. Abanikanda's athleticism and Williams-like running style give him a pathway if he improves in pass protection and offensive line reading.
Injury Status
Healthy heading into 2026.
Recent News
- 2026-04-04 — 2026 NFL draft running back projections: Rankings, comps (2026 NFL draft running back projections: Rankings, comps)
- 2026-04-27 — Dallas Cowboys 2026 post-draft depth chart projection (Dallas Cowboys 2026 post-draft depth chart projection)
- 2026-04-26 — Projecting Cowboys' depth chart after 2026 draft, UDFA signings (Projecting Cowboys' depth chart after 2026 draft, UDFA signings)
- 2026-04-07 — Cowboys Depth Chart Projection Post Free Agency, Position Battles & Roster Bubble (Cowboys Depth Chart Projection Post Free Agency, Position Battles & Roster Bubble)
- 2026-04-30 — Rating the 2026 NFL Rookie Running Backs: Post-NFL Draft Rookie Super Model Ratings (Rating the 2026 NFL Rookie Running Backs: Post-NFL Draft Rookie Super Model Ratings)
- 2026-06-03 — Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: RB Israel Abanikanda (Cowboys 2026 roster rundown: RB Israel Abanikanda)