Will Rashaad Penny cash in for fantasy football owners in Week 11?
Rashaad Penny had a breakthrough in Week 10, but is he the most reliable fantasy option in the Seahawks backfield for Week 11?
The Seattle Seahawks have had gotten production out of three different running backs this season, due in part to injuries and to general randomness fostered by head coach Pete Carroll. Rashaad Penny, the team’s first-round pick in April, was the latest running back to star for Seattle, with 12 carries for 108 yards and a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 10.
Chris Carson has topped 100 rushing yards three times in seven games this season, while Mike Davis has put up over 70 total yards in four of the last six games. Carson missed last Sunday’s game with a hip injury, but he’s not on the injury report for Thursday night’s game against the Green Bay Packers.
When all three Seattle running backs have been healthy (Carson) or had a substantive role (Davis), Penny has registered zero offensive snaps in two games. But his status as a first-round pick stood to give him an opportunity at some point, and Penny delivered last week.
Carroll said having three healthy, capable running backs is a good problem to have. While true to a degree, that’s the kind of coach-speak that will frustrate fantasy football owners trying to pin down a Seahawks running back for this week.
The Packers are 22nd in the league against the run (120.9 yards per game). But in terms of fantasy point production from running backs, they are in the top half of the league (ESPN PPR scoring). So the production there is to be had could be split three ways, and Carroll has offered no clarity. But he did speak specifically regarding Penny.
"Well, we’ll have to see when we get to the game. He certainly did a great job last week. It was great to see him bust out like that and it’s good for any young guy to have that kind of ballgame for the confidence and all of that. He’s going to play. He’ll be in the game."
In an important week for fantasy football owners, with the playoffs approaching, it will be hard to confidently rely on any of the Seahawks’ running backs. A case can be made for all three based on situation, or more precisely which one you own, which only adds to the issue.
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Carson is a fairly ho-hum choice with some downside as a RB2 or flex option in standard scoring leagues this week, while Penny is the upside pick in the same vein with the highest overall ceiling of the three. But with 11 receptions on 14 targets over the last two games, the game script could shift toward Davis on Thursday night and he’s the best option in any sort of PPR format.