2018 NFL Draft: Grading every first-round pick after rookie year

27. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks

2018 Stats: 419 rushing yards, 4.9 yards per carry, 2 rushing TDs, 9 receptions, 75 receiving yards

When the Seattle Seahawks drafted Rashaad Penny, it was a mind-blogging move. Critics and the draft community as a whole were shocked by the move, seeing as most folks had the San Diego State running back not coming off the board until the middle rounds.

Then, the preseason got under way and people started to understand why Penny went so early. He shined quickly for the Seahawks, flashing the potential to emerge as the bellcow back the team had been desperately searching for since Marshawn Lynch’s retirement. Well, they found it — it just wasn’t the 2018 first-round pick.

Instead, Penny got hurt and watched Chris Carson steal the show in Seattle. Even when he was banged up, the Seahawks rolled with Mike Davis, who put on a few dazzling performances of his own. Put simply, the rookie running back spent his entire first year in the NFL being overshadowed by guys with nowhere near the same draft pedigree.

Overall, it was a disappointing effort from Penny. He struggled to stay healthy, and couldn’t do enough to convince the Seahawks to keep him on the field when he did get opportunities. With Carson officially asserting himself as the lead back in Seattle, we could be dubbing Penny a bust sooner than usual.

Grade: D+