Denver Broncos 5 options to replace Javonte Williams in 2023
By Andrew Wade
Denver Broncos could pursue Rashaad Penny
Former first-round pick Rashaad Penny has yet to “break out” since joining the NFL from San Diego State. The Seattle Seahawks have deployed a running back by committee approach throughout his tenure and a torn ACL in 2019 didn’t help him either in terms of being “the guy”. This year, however, has been a different story.
With former running mate Chris Carson announcing his sudden retirement this past offseason and the Seahawks needing to rely on a ground game more often without Russell Wilson, Penny has had a quietly good 5th year.
Through four games, Penny has rushed for 292 yards on 49 carries for a healthy 6.0 yards per attempt average. His total yards rank 12th in the NFL and his yards per attempt average ranks 4th amongst running backs.
Despite being in the league for five seasons, Penny will only be 27 heading into next season and has only 817 total carries between his collegiate and NFL career. For reference, Jacobs has almost 800 carries in his NFL career and Saquon Barkley has over 1,300 carries combined between his time at Penn State and now with the New York Giants.
Will Penny leave the Seahawks? That remains to be seen. They didn’t give him a 5th-year option, but they did resign him to a 1-year/$5.75 million prove-it type of deal. Will Penny leave for a team that shows more faith? It’s possible and worth George Paton exploring. If Javonte Williams is able to come back, Denver would have a nice two-headed monster similar to what they were hoping to have with Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon. If Javonte Williams isn’t able to return right away or get back to form, Penny would be a formidable number-one back.