Rashaad Penny was one of many surprising draft picks in Seattle over the years. After being selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the back enters NFL free agency for the first time. He began producing big numbers late in 2021, but it hasn’t affected his market.
NFL Free Agency: Who is Rashaad Penny?
We simply haven’t seen much in his four-year career. The 5’11”, 220-pound back only has 280 career carries and 23 receptions. He didn’t start a game for Seattle until 2021. It’s an awkward trajectory for a first-round back.
So, what can teams expect out of the former first-rounder?
Penny’s style is confusing
At his size, Penny looks like a low rider with a supercharged LS1. The stocky build screams bulldozer, but the tape shows a different style. And while running back athleticism is often overrated, Penny’s testing makes his tape make more sense.
Penny posted a 7.28 Relative Athletic Score. However, his overall score is far less important than how the individual numbers relate to his on-field performance.
Penny has build-up speed
Penny ran a 4.46, which is in the 90th percentile for running backs. For a 200-pound runner, he can get up and move when he’s given a runway. The 62-yard touchdown run against Arizona is all the evidence we need of that.
However, he’s not necessarily explosive. He tested in the 35th percentile on his vertical jump and 72nd in the broad. He posted similar 10-yard split scores as the broad. That shows when he hits a hole but hasn’t gotten up to speed yet.
Penny led the league in yards after contact on his 119 attempts. He also ranked 17th in broken tackles per attempt. That’s more than respectable on the surface. Nonetheless, his contact balance is underwhelming for a back built like Penny before he hits the second level.
He has enough elusiveness and wiggle to break low contact and keep going, but he doesn’t necessarily have the fall-forward gene as a runner.
Lack of versatility makes him situation-dependent
Penny is best used in traditional under-center formations or pistol runs when we stack his unique running style with his average lateral explosion. He needs a runway. Additionally, he will be more dependent on his offensive line than others because he lacks creativity.
However, he can be a productive back in a heavy rotation if he gets behind a team that runs a lot from under center and has a good offensive line. The more significant issue regarding his market is that he’s never proven himself a productive receiver out of the backfield.
Tennessee would make a lot of sense for Penny as a traditional backup if his market never materializes. Penny would be a fine option if the Titans want to lighten the load on Henry. Cleveland would be another fun fit for the fifth-year back if they decide not to retain Kareem Hunt.
But even with his late-season explosion in 2021, it isn’t easy to envision him in a feature role. And that doesn’t get paid much on the open market.