Rashaad Penny: Grading the Seahawks first pick in 2018
By Lee Vowell
The Seahawks went in a slightly different direction than many thought they would with their first round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Instead of a taking a cornerback or edge rusher, Seattle took running back Rashaad Penny. How does Penny grade?
The good
Rashaad Penny‘s college statistics are crazy good. In the last two years Penny spent at San Diego State, he averaged 7.7 yards per carry, ran for 3,266 yard and scored 34 touchdowns. And those are just his rushing stats.
The Seahawks select Rashaad Penny, the second highest running back on the PFF big board #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/wDcd37Fla3
— PFF (@PFF) April 27, 2018
Penny is also a fantastic returner. Over the last three years, Penny returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns and two more off punts. Rashaad Penny is a bad man.
Penny also has good size at 5’11” and 220 pounds. He is a strong runner. Penny is a good fit with what Seattle wants to do.
Here's the moment @pennyhendrixx found out he was getting drafted 27th overall by the @Seahawks. He was second RB taken overall. pic.twitter.com/vMzT20S69n
— Troy Hirsch (@troyhirschfox5) April 27, 2018
The maybe
But is he what Seattle needed? The Seahawks already have Chris Carson. Will Penny start over Carson? Being a first round pick he should. Carson would be the backup. Plus, Seattle desperately needs an edge rusher and there were several still available even after Seattle traded down to the number 27 choice.
The bad
As far as running style, Penny doesn’t have a great cutback step. The Seahawks system prior to the coaching changes made this offseason nearly required a running back be great at this to be successful. Maybe with a new offensive coordinator and new offensive line coach, this attribute won’t be as necessary.
Penny also has a habit of running tall. This means he gets hit harder more times than many other backs. Seattle absolutely needs Penny to be a durable back for several seasons. A first round back has to be great and not just good.
And there’s the rub. Taking a defensive end at number 27 and have that end be good for 5 years is one thing. Taking a running back and have him be simply good for five years isn’t…well, good enough. Penny needs to make a Pro Bowl or three to be worth the value of his selection.
So did Seattle get what they wanted or what they really needed?
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Grade: C