Following a record-breaking final season at San Diego State, the Seahawks selected Rashaad Penny in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. But after appearing in only 27 of the team’s games over his first three seasons, most concluded Penny was a monumental bust. Pete Carroll and the Seahawks shared a similar sentiment when they declined his $4.5 million option in May, making him an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
After Chris Carson had been declared out for the remainder of the season due to a sketchy neck injury, Penny was given a chance to show what he could do as the team’s workhorse.
“We need Rashaad to come to life,” Carroll said at the time. “This is an important time for Rashaad to help us.”
In typical Penny fashion, he registered two carries in the next game before he exited with a hamstring injury. He missed the next game and then returned to give the team a useless 35 yards on 10 carries in Week 13.
Then, he went on a historic, league-winning stretch run that will drive heated debate over the next few months.
Are you buying Rashaad Penny’s 2022 fantasy football outlook and/or dynasty outlook after he finished the overall RB1 between Weeks 15 to 17? Or should we add Penny’s name alongside the likes of Breshad Perriman and Damien Williams as late-season mirages?
BUY
The talent is there and it’s never been a question with the former first-rounder. During his final season at San Diego State, Penny led the nation with 2,248 rushing yards and added 23 touchdowns, finishing the season as a first-team All-American.
After doing next-to-nothing during his first four seasons after being in-and-out of the lineup, Penny came alive over the final few games of his contract season. He racked up 136 total yards and two touchdowns against the Texans, 135 total yards and a score against the Bears, and 185 total yards and two touchdowns against the Lions.
Seahawks fans haven’t seen those types of numbers since the days of Beast Mode when the team ran the NFC West.
Assuming Carroll remains in Seattle, one would expect the Seahawks to retain Penny and align him next to Carson — who appears to have a “long-term” neck injury that could ultimately put his career in jeopardy. Not to mention Carson has missed 19 games of his own over the past four seasons.
Penny flourished in Shane Waldron’s run scheme and it would make sense for the Seahawks to give him a one-year “prove it” deal to confirm his late-season run wasn’t a fluke.
“But it (the running game) was there,” Carroll said. “I’ve been seeing it for months. It really has been a couple months. I thought we really had made a big advance, but we just hadn’t been able to cash in and so I’m thrilled to see it now.”
The young back also credited the Adrian Peterson addition and said the veteran’s presence gave him a much-needed boost during this four-game stretch where he ranked first in the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, and third with 6.97 yards-per-carry.
“When you have a guy who’s been running in this league for so long and is on the verge of the Hall of Fame,” Penny said, “it honestly gives you a boost and you want to mimic everything that you see him do.”
Between his talent, Carson’s injury history, and his scheme fit in Seattle, Penny could be an intriguing “buy” in 2022 fantasy drafts and beyond.
SELL
Do I really need to make the case against Penny?
The problem is, of course, it took him nearly four full seasons to produce at this elite fantasy level — and the success only spanned over three games.
The mix of an alarming injury history and zero fantasy production should worry Penny dynasty owners and those who may take the bait in 2022 fantasy drafts.
From an ACL tear to two knee strains to two hamstring strains and a calf strain, Penny’s array of injuries caused him to miss 30 of a possible 64 games (including the playoffs) prior to his late-season blowup.
Not only did Penny rush for a measly 823 yards through his first three seasons, but Carroll and the Seahawks were so underwhelmed with his output that they declined his $4.5 million option for next season. The team did not have faith in him for a relatively small contract — and neither should you.
BOTTOM LINE
Sorry, but a four-game run against the lowly Texans, Bears, and Lions does not move the needle for me in dynasty nor 2022 fantasy drafts. Something major would have to happen (a guaranteed workhorse role?) for me to buy Penny in either format.
The Wolf is not sold on Penny’s 2022 fantasy outlook. He ranks RB42 (-8 vs ECR) on his 2022 Fantasy Football Rankings, alongside the likes of Ronald Jones, JD McKissic, and James White.
