Steelers should bring home former Pitt star if he's cut by Jets

A former Pitt star has been impressive through the first two games of the preseason, but if he finds himself forced out of a crowded running back room, the Steelers should bring him home.

Israel Abanikanda, a fifth-round pick from the 2023 NFL Draft, has continued to make his case to make the Jets 53-man roster with the dreaded cutdown day just a couple of weeks away. 

Abanikanda has rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown and posted four catches for 36 yards this preseason. He also led all rookie running backs in yards after contact (53) and missed tackles forced (five) last weekend vs. the Panthers, according to Pro Football Focus.

The 20-year-old could certainly end up being a steal after rushing for 1,431 yards and a college football-best 20 touchdowns in 2022.

However, after New York signed veteran RB Dalvin Cook on Monday, Abanikanda finds himself in a difficult position to make the team, as he was already behind running backs Breece Hall, Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight.

If that is the case, Pittsburgh should bring him back to the Steel City. The Steelers already have running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, but Abanikanda would bring some much-needed competition for RB Anthony McFarland, and he might just win the RB3 job.

McFarland has a case of his own to make Pittsburgh's 53-man roster, but Abanikanda brings a little more upside.

Injuries could still play a factor in Abanikanda's fate with two weeks of preseason games to go. But he deserves to be on a roster come the start of the season, and if it's not with the Jets, the Steelers should bring him home.