GS. WARNING TO THE NFC EAST: 1,431 Yards, 20 Touchdowns — The former All-ACC leading running back has just landed in Dallas — And their opponents have NO IDEA what’s coming.

The NFC East just got a whole lot more interesting—and a lot more dangerous for the Dallas Cowboys’ rivals. On Sunday, the Cowboys made a stealthy move that could reshape their backfield and send shockwaves through the division: signing former Pittsburgh Panthers star Israel Abanikanda. With his explosive college resume boasting 1,431 rushing yards and a staggering 20 touchdowns in his final season, Abanikanda isn’t just another depth piece—he’s a potential game-changer lurking in the shadows, ready to unleash havoc on unsuspecting defenses.

Let’s rewind to Abanikanda’s glory days at Pitt, where he earned First-Team All-ACC honors and turned heads as one of the most dominant rushers in the conference. Standing at 5-foot-10 and a bruising 217 pounds, he’s built like a tank with the speed to break away. That 2022 campaign was a masterclass in power running: he averaged over 6 yards per carry, bulldozed through tackles, and consistently found the end zone. NFL scouts salivated over his blend of strength, vision, and burst, which is why the New York Jets selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. The Cowboys, reportedly, have had their eyes on him ever since, quietly admiring his upside from afar.

But Abanikanda’s pro journey hasn’t been a straight path to stardom—yet. In his rookie year with the Jets, he appeared in just six games, logging 22 carries for 70 yards and adding 43 receiving yards on seven catches. It was a tantalizing glimpse of his potential, showing soft hands out of the backfield and the ability to grind out tough yards. Since then, he’s bounced around, spending time with the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers without seeing regular-season action. Now, at 23 years old, he’s getting a fresh start in Dallas, where the running back room is ripe for a breakout contributor.

This signing comes at a perfect time for the Cowboys, who’ve pieced together a surprisingly solid ground game this season despite some early question marks. Javonte Williams has been the workhorse, racking up a career-high 955 yards and eight touchdowns through 13 weeks. But he’s shouldered too much of the load, and the team has been searching for a reliable RB2 to spell him and keep defenses honest. Enter Malik Davis, who provided a spark with a 43-yard touchdown scamper on Thanksgiving Day against their Week 13 opponent, earning a promotion to the active roster. With Davis stepping up, the Cowboys’ practice squad was left thin at running back—until Abanikanda’s arrival filled that void.

Abanikanda’s addition isn’t just about depth; it’s about injecting fear into the NFC East. Imagine the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders scheming against Dallas’ offense, only to face a fresh, powerful back who’s hungry to prove himself. Paired with Williams’ steady production and Davis’ big-play potential, Abanikanda could form a three-headed monster that wears down defenses over four quarters. His college tape screams “home-run threat,” and in Mike McCarthy’s system, he might finally get the touches to translate that to the pros. Opponents have no idea what’s coming—a rested Williams, a speedy Davis, and now a bulldozer like Abanikanda? That’s a recipe for divisional dominance.

Of course, this move raises eyebrows about rookie Jaydon Blue, the fifth-round pick out of Texas who dazzled with sub-4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash. Fans were buzzing about his potential as a change-of-pace back, but after 12 games, he’s been largely invisible: just 65 yards on 22 attempts, and inactive for eight contests. Davis already leapfrogged him on the depth chart, and now Abanikanda—a player the front office has coveted for years—joins the mix. Is this a wake-up call for Blue, or a sign that his roster spot is in jeopardy? Time will tell, but the Cowboys aren’t waiting around; they’re building a backfield that’s versatile, deep, and downright scary.

As the Cowboys push toward the playoffs, this under-the-radar signing could be the X-factor that propels them deeper into January. The NFC East has been warned: Israel Abanikanda is in Dallas, and with his pedigree, he’s poised to remind everyone why he was a college phenom. Buckle up, rivals—the ground attack is about to hit a new gear.