Since his surprising selection of 27th overall in the 2018 NFL draft, Seattle Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny has looked to prove himself to fans who felt he hadn’t belonged. After years of struggling to see the field and stay on it, Penny broke out as one of the league’s most effective backs to end the 2021 season. Through the first five weeks of 2022, that trend continued, only for injuries to bite him once again.
Penny suffered a fibula fracture during the Seahawks 39-32 loss to the New Orleans Saints. He received season-ending surgery on Wednesday.
What does Penny’s injury mean for Seattle?
Penny’s injury ends a season that started strong, and it may end his Seahawks tenure, too. As good as he’s been, second-round rookie Kenneth Walker III is waiting in the wings.
Walker, in a smaller role, has been eerily similar to Penny in terms of efficiency. Seattle shouldn’t see any significant drop off in production, meaning they can continue to ride the wave of Geno Smith uninhibited.
The drop off from Penny to Walker may not move the needle for any spreads the Seahawks will look to cover, but it can still affect our bet slip. With 12 games to make a name for himself, Walker has a chance to run away with the race for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Walker, whose odds currently sit at +1500 (DraftKings) means a $100 wager could turn a profit of $1500. In his path is Dameon Pierce (+500), Chris Olave (+500), Breece Hall (+600), and Kenny Pickett (+800), among others. With the amount of uncertainty surrounding each of these candidates, now is the best time to put money on Walker’s ascension.
He has the talent to match his draft capital and the opportunity to produce as much as other top backs. The volume will be there, the skill was a prerequisite. Penny’s injury is bad news, but it’s not a death sentence for the Seahawks or their running back room.
BASIC TIPS
Earlier, this article referenced a futures bet, taking Walker at +1500 to win the award of Offensive Rookie of the Year. Futures are best made when one feels the odds are going to get shorter (win you less money) in the near future. For example, if Walker plays well and the Seahawks dominate on the ground, those odds can drop to +500. If you can stomach the short-term losses, waiting out a long-term futures bet can be lucrative.