Seahawks select Rashaad Penny with their first pick in 2018 draft

With their first pick in the 2018 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks chose running back Rashaad Penny 27th overall. Is this a pick Seattle needed? Could the pick have gone more for a position of need? Or is John Schneider a genius?

I am just going to go ahead and say this: The Seahawks choice of Rashaad Penny is a bit underwhelming. I think Seattle needed a cornerback or pass rusher much more than a running back. Or maybe Chris Carson is more injured than we know.

Of course, 12s all know that Seattle wants to get back to run first. Possibly Penny offers the Seahawks are breakaway threat that they have lacked. Penny can also be a great return guy. He did have seven kickoff returns for touchdowns in college.

Penny did run for 2,248 yards in 2017 at San Diego State. He averaged 7.8 yards an attempt and ran for 23 touchdowns.

Penny isn’t small. He weighs 220 pounds and is close to six feet tall. His yards per carry in college are ridiculous. Clearly, based on his return capabilities, he can be elusive and has speed. But should he have been a first round pick? At least for the Seahawks?

Seattle has a dire need for a pass rusher or three. Harold Landry, for instance, was still available when Seattle took Penny. Seattle also needs a cornerback. Both Mike Hughes and Josh Jackson were for the taking at pick 27.

Seattle didn’t do a whole lot in free agency to fix big holes at defensive end or corner. If Carson and Mike Davis stay healthy, the duo could have been productive. Plus, what must Tyler Lockett be thinking? He is a solid and Pro Bowl return guy.

Penny might become a great player for the Seahawks. But he doesn’t have a perfect fit right now. Taking him in the first round seems like a stretch for Seattle. And this is a draft where they cannot afford any misses.

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