10 worst Seattle Seahawks draft picks of the Pete Carroll era

No. 6 - Rashaad Penny - Seahawks running back (2018)

I was conflicted about where to put Rashaad Penny on this list. It's fair to label him a draft bust due to his draft position relative to his overall production, but when he was healthy, he was absolutely fantastic. Seattle was looking for their franchise running back in 2018, as long-time star Marshawn Lynch had signed with his home-town Raiders. Chris Carson was a promising young running back taken in the 7th round of the 2017 draft, but as always, Pete Carroll wanted a second primary feature back.

In the 2018 draft, Seattle held the 27th overall pick, and 12s were waiting with anticipation to see if Carroll and the Seahawks would actually use it this time or trade back, yet again. They did use it, and it was on a running back with a second-round grade by most standards. You know how it is when the NFL zigs, Pete Carroll zags. Seattle selected Rashaad Penny, which garnered widespread criticism by most if not all, Seahawks fans and NFL media alike.

Penny, who I am just now learning, signed with the Carolina Panthers after it was reported he was meeting with the Seahawks earlier this month, could just never stay healthy. In 2018, after the rookie played in 14 games, rushing for 419 yards, Penny never played more than ten games in a season for the Seahawks after his first year. In 2019, Penny missed two games with a hamstring injury early in the year before tearing his ACL and missing the remainder of the season in December.

Penny missed almost all of the 2020 season, rehabbing from his ACL tear the prior year. In week one of the 2021 season, finally healthy and poised for a breakout season, Penny injured his calf and missed the next five games. Then, in Week 11, Penny reaggravated a hamstring injury, causing him to be sidelined for the next game. However, in the final stretch of the 2021 season, Penny looked like the best running back in football, rushing for 137, 135, 170, and 190 yards in four of the final five games of the 2021 season.

In 2022, Penny was expected to be the starter, sharing carries with then-rookie Kenneth Walker, as Seattle felt their first-round running back was finally ready to live up to his selection. Disaster struck yet again in Week 5 as Penny went down with yet another season-ending injury, a tibia fracture that signified the end of his tenure in Seattle.

Who did they miss?

Five picks after Penny was selected, the Baltimore Ravens drafted future MVP Lamar Jackson. You could argue Seattle didn't need a quarterback right then and there, but only eight picks after Seattle took Penny, the Cleveland Browns selected running back Nick Chub.