Upon being drafted at 27 overall, Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny seemed destined for fantasy stardom. Unfortunately, poor conditioning and health kept Penny stuck in mud all year, allowing Chris Carson to shine.
Penny, however, has drawn “rave reviews for his conditioning” after dropping 15 lbs. He’s been operating as the lead back with Carson recovering from offseason surgery, and is now primed for a sturdier “1B” role in the league’s run-heaviest attack. There’ll be plenty of Ground Pie to go around in Seattle.
The Seahawks were the only team to run more than they passed in 2018, sporting a 48:52 Pass-to-Run ratio. Consequently, they led the league with over 160 team rushing yards per contest, and OC Brian Schottenheimer suggested they’ll remain ground-oriented in 2019:
“We make no apologies for how we play,’’ Schottenheimer said. “We want to run the football. We want to be physical. We want to take our shots.’’
Now, according to Pete Carroll, “nobody is in better shape” than Carson, who remains in-line for the largest slice. Still, at least 12-15 weekly carries will be left for the taking, especially with Mike Davis‘ 146 touches removed. Carroll said as much, noting of Penny:
“Once he got going, he showed the explosiveness and the speed and the dynamics. Those two guys, they’re good football players and we love what they bring… there’s plenty of room for both of those guys, so I’m excited for both of them… one-two punch, and I don’t know who’s one and who’s two, it doesn’t matter to me.”
Nevermind Carson’s sketchy injury history. He’s missed time in both season, and Penny would be an unquestioned weekly-RB1 as the team’s workhorse. His 85 carries should at least double. With his slashing rushing style and three-down traits, Penny will offer standalone value on this volume bump alone. He’s risen to my RB30 and sits at No.78 overall on my latest Big Board — about +10 spots higher than the ECR.
