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Grading the top five rookie running backs drafted in 2018

By Joel Deering

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 30: Running back Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 30: Running back Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) /

2. 27th Overall Pick – Rashaad Penny – Seattle Seahawks

Games Played: 6

Games Started: 0

Rushing Stats: 42 attempts for 146 yards, an average of 3.5 yards per carry and 0 TDs.

Receiving Stats: 9 receptions for 75 yards and 0 TDs.

Analysis: Rashaad Penny has yet to start a game, score a touchdown, or rush for 50 yards in a game. It’s too early to call Rashaad Penny a bust, but it’s safe to say he’s not living up to his first-round draft pick status in the NFL through nine weeks.

Most people were surprised when Seattle selected Penny 27th overall. His name hadn’t been thrown around in the first-round conversation much, if at all before the draft. This pick was definitely a reach.

The last couple years of rookie RBs have featured guys like Alvin Kamara and Kareem Hunt, both of whom were taken in the third-round of the draft. I think Seattle might have thought Penny would be one of those underrated RBs who’d have a similar impact, but they didn’t want to risk someone else drafting him before they had the chance.

It turns out he’s not one of those guys. Penny is third on the team in carries and rushing yards. He doesn’t even have 150 rushing yards in the six games he’s played in. Not a single Seattle touchdown has come from him. Penny may have been one of the top five rookie RBs drafted, but he has been far from one of the top five rookie RBs. Not a good start for the 27th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Grade: D

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