NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Seattle Seahawks: 3 X-factors for the 2019 season

By Samuel Teets

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Tre Flowers #37 of the Seattle Seahawks before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Tre Flowers #37 of the Seattle Seahawks before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Running back Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by defensive back Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in {Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Bart Young/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 9: Running back Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by defensive back Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on September 9, 2018 in {Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Bart Young/Getty Images) /

Rashaad Penny, RB

As a former first-round pick, there will already be a lot expected of Penny. The San Diego St. product didn’t exactly live up to the role he was expected to fill last season. The Seahawks tried to force the envelope early with him last season.

As soon as Week 2, Penny got more carries than the other running backs on the Seahawks roster. He soon faded into the background though and finished with the third-most rushing yards on the team. Penny only outrushed Russell Wilson by a measly 43 yards.

More from NFL Spin Zone

Mike Davis was Seattle’s second-leading ball carrier in 2018 with 112 attempts. He also finished second in rushing yards (514) and rushing touchdowns (four). Davis signed with the Chicago Bears in free agency. That leaves a large hole in Seattle’s backfield and Penny is expected to pick up most of that production.

Down the stretch last season, Penny flashed signs of life. In Week 10 he ran for 108 yards and a touchdown on just 12 carries against the Los Angeles Rams. In Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers, he carried the ball seven times for 65 yards and another touchdown.

Penny finished with 4.9 yards per carry on the season, which topped Chris Carson‘s 4.7 and Davis’ 4.6. However, Penny did have five games where he ran for fewer than three yards per carry. In comparison, Carson never ran for fewer than 3.2 yards per carry during a game. He was held below four yards per carry in just two of his appearances as well. Davis had two games where he finished with less than three yards per carry.

Penny has a long way to go, but the Seahawks will have to rely on him heavily this year if they want to lead the league in rushing again. Carson will still get the majority of the carries, but Penny will see a larger workload in his second season. So far, the sophomore isn’t off to a great start. He carried the ball six times for 15 yards (2.5 yards per carry) in Seattle’s Week 1 preseason win against the Denver Broncos.

Home/Seattle Seahawks