Ranking the last 10 Seahawks first-round draft picks in the NFL draft

No. 8 - Rashaad Penny, running back (2018, pick 27)

Had Penny stayed healthy, he probably would have ranked much higher on this list. He led the league in yards per carry in 2021 at 6.3 but he only played in 10 games. After his rookie season when played 14, Penny never passed 10 games in a season again with the Seahawks and twice only played three. But there was little doubt about his ability if he was healthy as he has seven games with 100-plus yards rushing though he only appeared in 42 for Seattle.

Penny seemed to want to play as well. He became emotional in 2022 after yet another leg injury ended his season. He also seemed like a good guy to have on the team. But he could never be counted on to be healthy and he is currently a free agent who might never play in the league again.

No. 7 - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, wide receiver (2023, pick 20)

I had to put Smith-Njigba somewhere on this list, of course. My guess is that if I was writing this same kind of article in eight years (and who knows?; I might) then the receiver would rank near the top of it. While he is potentially a fantastic player who is well-liked by 12s, he hasn't yet done enough (and yes, I will be hypocritical later in this article) to rank in the top five. He should have a much better 2024, however, as he began to play a much more important part in the second half of 2023.

Smith-Njigba is also just 22 years old and should have a lot more seasons in which to perform at a very high level. In his rookie year, however, he had 63 catches for 628 yards and 4 touchdowns. Not bad statistics, but not exactly an explosive first year in the league.