There may be no more interesting a player in fantasy drafts this year than Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny. He was expected to be headed out the door in Seattle after being a colossal bust as a 1st-round draft pick. In his first 3 seasons (27 games), he rushed for just 823 yards and had only 17 receptions. It was going to be a quiet end to his Seahawks career – and quite possibly his NFL career.
Then came the last 5 games of the 2021 season.
In the final 5 games of last season, Penny led all NFL running backs with 92 carries for a mind-boggling 671 yards and 6 touchdowns — one of the most dominant 5-game streaks in recent history. After four years, he finally lived up to the promise he had given the organization when he was taken with the 27th pick in 2018 and now he’s back on a 1-year deal to prove it wasn’t a fluke.
Below, we look at Rashaad Penny‘s 2022 fantasy football average draft position (ADP) and where you should draft him.
Rashaad Penny’s ADP: 72.29
(ADP data courtesy of MyFantasyLeague.com; last updated at time of this publishing – ADPs continually change as more drafts occur)
Fantasy owners aren’t completely buying into Penny’s crazy-good finish to 2021. He is ranked as the 28th running back, which makes him a RB3 in 10-player leagues that is likely going to be counted on to play several weeks during the 2022 season.
His ranking puts him in the category of players fighting to hold on to their starting jobs and new faces in new places. Penny’s ADP puts him behind Antonio Gibson (Washington Commanders) at 68.44 and Devin Singletary (Buffalo Bills) at 2.03 and ahead of fast-rising Dameon Pierce (Houston Texans) at 76.45 and Chase Edmonds (Miami Dolphins) at 80.71.
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Rashaad Penny’s 2021 stats
Games: 10
Carries | rushing yards: 119 | 749
Rushing touchdowns: 6
Receptions | receiving yards: 6 | 48
Receiving touchdowns: 0
Where should you draft Penny?
It’s clear that the new-look Seahawks are going to run the ball more because their quarterback cupboard is pretty bare, but to have Penny ranked as a critical player on a roster is asking too much.
He’s never made it through a full season without missing time due to injury during his 4-year career. He’s played in just 37 games and missed 28 games with various ailments. Can you count on a guy you’re going to need at a minimum when your top two RBs are on their bye week? I’m not.
Seattle went to the draft well this spring to use the 41st pick on running back Kenneth Walker III. Seeing as some of the top-rated quarterbacks in the draft were still available at this time, that’s a statement move for a team trotting out stiffs like Geno Smith and Drew Lock under center.
Throw in that coach Pete Carroll has never been loyal to running backs not named Marshawn Lynch and Penny has no leg up heading into the season. It will only be a matter of time until Walker supplants him — whether through more consistent play or another Penny injury. Walker has missed time in the preseason but is expected to be good to go in Week 1, where the in-house competition begins.
If you’re considering taking Penny here, take someone else and grab Walker as your RB4 three rounds later. You will get more production at a cheaper cost.
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