Zonovan

Knight

Knight, who signed with the Lions in August, picked up the shoulder injury in Week 5 against Carolina. Knight had 85 carries for 300 yards and a touchdown last year with the Jets. David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs will continue leading the Detroit backfield.

With David Montgomery (quad) sidelined for at least a week, the Lions will bump Knight from their practice squad to the 53-player roster ahead of Detroit’s Week 3 game against the Falcons. Knight could mix in as a breather back with Craig Reynolds and Jahmyr Gibbs splitting the team’s backfield workload. Knight can remain on waiver wires for now.

Taylor hauled in a 57-yard reception in the Jets Hall of Fame game against the Browns but caught only one additional pass throughout the preseason. In addition to Taylor, the Jets also released/waived QB Tim Boyle, FB Nick Bawden, RB Travis Dye, RB Zonovan Knight, WR Alex Erickson, WR Jerome Kapp, WR TJ Luther, TE E.J. Jenkins, TE Zack Kuntz, C Trystan Colon, OL Chris Glaser, OL Grant Hermanns OL Brent Laing, OL Adam Pankey, OL Greg Senat, DL Deslin Alexandre, DL Bruce Hector, DL Jalyn Holmes, DL Tanzel Smart, DL Marquiss Spencer, DL Pita Taumeopenu, LB Claudin Cherelus, LB Samuel Eguavoen, LB Caleb Johnson, LB Nick Vigil, S Jarrick Bernard-Conversee, S Trey Dean, CB Brandin Echols, S Craig James, CB Derrick Langford, CB Nehemiah Shelton, S Marquis Waters, CB Jimmy Moreland, P Thomas Morstead.

The Jets’ running back room became particularly crowded after they signed Dalvin Cook earlier this offseason. Knight turned in a solid rookie campaign after making the Jets as an undrafted rookie last season, totaling 400 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 98 touches. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Jets received some trade interest for Knight, which could indicate a claim off waivers is in the works for the second-year back.

Carter was held out of the Jets’ second preseason game while Zonovan Knight saw extensive playing time and struggled a bit. There had been some speculation that the addition of Dalvin Cook would mean the end of the line for Carter, who was relegated to RB3 last season even as the Jets backfield suffered a string of injuries. Carter wouldn’t have fantasy value unless Cook and Breece Hall were to go down in 2023.

Carter is in a three-way battle with second-year UDFA Zonovan Knight and rookie fifth-rounder Israel Abanikanda to handle RB2 duties behind Breece Hall. Rosenblatt notes in his article that the possibility of signing Dalvin Cook “looms large on this position group,” but he thinks the running backs in the building will get the first crack at the backup running back role. Carter has been a capable receiver out of the backfield since joining the Jets in 2021 but struggled on the ground to the tune of 3.5 yards per carry last season. For now, Carter makes for an interesting late-round stash in PPR leagues, but it’s possible we see Abanikanda usurp him on the depth chart at some point in the season — which Rosenblatt also hints is a possibility as the season progresses.

Hard to get too up or down on Knight’s prospects for this year given most teams don’t really run the ball in their offseason program anyway, but it’s not a great sign that Knight wasn’t practicing in full considering the Jets have been linked to Dalvin Cook and spent a fifth-round pick on Israel Abanikanda. Knight had some good games last season, but probably deserves to be looked at a little skeptically as a lock to contribute during whatever time Breece Hall misses/is ramping up during early in the year.

Abanikanda becomes the latest Jet to sign his rookie deal after cornerback Jarrick Bernard-Converse signed with the team on Thursday. A dual threat out of the backfield, Abanikanda joins a crowded backfield that already includes Zonovan Knight and Michael Carter, while Breece Hall also hopes to make his return sooner than later. We’d expect Abanikanda to start the offseason behind Knight and Carter, but both are replacement-level backs who could be usurped on the depth chart if Abanikanda has a strong showing in camp.

As an undrafted rookie, Bam Knight didn’t get his shot until late in the season and initially he impressed. Knight got his first game action in Week 12 and averaged 18.6 touches for 99.4 scrimmage yards per game in his first three contests. His next three games saw him battle minor injuries and tough matchups en route to 27 carries and only 48 yards in that span. It was a Jekyll and Hyde kind of showing for the rookie running back, so how’s his 2023 outlook? He’s signed through the next season, so he’ll be around to help share the load with Michael Carter until Breece Hall’s return. Earlier in the season the Jets’ staff felt like they found something special in Knight and we should get to see how special in 2023.

Although Knight ended up leading the Jets’ backfield in touches, he was third in snaps. Ty Johnson got the start and Michael Carter dominated passing-down work. Knight has lost all ground momentum as the Jets’ passing game has gone off the rails, though he’s at least put himself in position for a 2023 53-man roster spot. Although Knight could still see plenty of work in Week 18 against the Dolphins, he doesn’t have much of a DFS case in this muddled backfield and struggling offense.