Rashaad Penny

Usually, when a team invests a first-round pick in a running back, the assumption is it will give the crown jewel of its draft class more than 94 touches, but apparently they do things a little different in the Pacific Northwest. In fact, Penny had the second-fewest touches since 2002 of any first-round rookie running back with at least 12 games played (David Wilson, 75 in 2012). Penny suffered a broken finger in training camp, and while he recovered in time for Week 1, Chris Carson locked up the starting job for good a couple weeks later; Penny then had a hard time even wrestling the No. 2 job away from Mike Davis. The rookie showed why he was the 27th overall pick when he got a chance, though, rushing for 108 yards and a score on 12 carries in Week 10 when Carson was out. Penny didn't show much as a receiver, but that shouldn't be a huge obstacle in an offense that attempted a league-low 427 passes last season. What he does offer is good size (220 pounds), some power in his legs and surprising speed (4.46 40), and with Davis now in Chicago, Penny heads into his second season looking to force his way into a timeshare with Carson. The duo's similar skill set should allow them to wear down defenses, so the better numbers any given week could come down to who gets carries in the fourth quarter, causing a headache for owners.

Arguably the most shocking selection of the 2018 draft, Penny went to Seattle with the 27th overall pick, the second running back off the board. The team definitely had a need at the position, but taking Penny over bigger-name backs like Sony Michel, Nick Chubb and Derrius Guice raised eyebrows. Penny, though, fits the mold Seattle looks for in a lead back at 5-11, 220, and, importantly, doesn't have the injury history of the aforementioned trio. During his final season at San Diego State he displayed both power and patience as a runner, letting his blocks set up before he trampled defenders in the hole. His surprising 4.46 40 time at the combine likely played into his rise up the Hawks' draft board, erasing any doubt regarding his athleticism. While the building blocks are there for him to be a solid NFL starter, Penny needs to work on his receiving and blocking to become a true three-down asset, and his upright running style and average elusiveness can lead to too much contact. Given the draft capital Seattle used to get him and the lack of established talent on the depth chart, Penny has every opportunity to seize the lead role, though a broken finger he suffered in August has temporarily slowed his momentum. On the plus side, Penny should be back in time for Week 1.