Rashaad Penny or Kenneth Walker III: Which Seahawks Running Back Takes Over the Chris Carson Role?

One of the most punishing and bruising running backs in the NFL in the last five years is going out on his own terms.

After five years with the Seattle Seahawks, working his way up as a seventh round draft pick, running back Chris Carson is announcing his retirement according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

Carson rushed for over 3,500 yards and 24 scores during his time in Seattle. During his 2019 season, he finished fifth in the NFL in rushing yards with 1,230.

His departure opens the gate for two key Seahawks backs that are sure to see their fantasy football average draft position (ADP) sky-rocket following the news.

In 2021, then fourth-year back Rashaad Penny finally had his breakout season. In his final six games, he rushed 102 times for 706 yards, averaging a robust 6.9 yards-per-carry with six rushing touchdowns. The Seahawks also added another freight train of a running back in Kenneth Walker III from Michigan State. In his first year as a transfer from Wake Forest, Walker ran for 1,636 rushing yards; averaging 6.2 yards per carry with 18 rushing touchdowns.

Even if you're a fantasy player, it's important to know how the oddsmakers view both Seattle backs in the props market. Let's see how they currently evaluate both Penny and Walker for 2022.

What Are Rashaad Penny's Rushing Props for 2022?

As of now, Penny is the only standalone Seahawks running back to have a certain number of rushing yards and rushing touchdowns projected in the betting markets.

For individual props, those looking to take the OVER on his rushing yards in 2022 can find him at 749.5 at BetMGM Sportsbook. He's 50-51 yards higher at FanDuel and DraftKings respectively; coming in at 799.5 and 800.5. His consensus total rushing touchdowns projection is at 6.5, with heavier juice on the UNDER at -130 compared to even money (+100) on the over.

To lead the NFL in rushing, Penny sits anywhere from +1600 at FanDuel, to as high as +4000 at DraftKings and Caesars Sportsbook. He's anywhere from +5000 to +6600 to lead the league in rushing touchdowns.

What Are Kenneth Walker's Rushing Props for 2022?

Walker has yet to receive individual props, but some sportsbooks believe this will be a viable competition for the top spot.

At DraftKings, Walker is just +6000 to lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns, compared to +10000 at FanDuel and BetMGM. For most rushing yards, it's FanDuel and BetMGM that have him down to +5000; just +1000 more than his teammate Penny. The best value on the board for this prop is at Caesars Sportsbook; putting Penny all the way down at +12500.

All major sportsbooks see Walker as a viable Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate. Here's how each of the major sportsbooks have him pegged on the board.

• BetMGM +1100
• Caesars +1000
• DraftKings +1200
• FanDuel +1300
• Points Bet +1200

Rashaad Penny vs. Kenneth Walker III (Who Will Lead the Seahawks in Rushing?)

I know Penny is the easy pick after a terrific run at the end of the season, but I think recency bias is playing a major role here.

His yards-per-carry led the league in his final six games, but the Seahawks season was nearly wrapped up, and four of those games came against some of the worst teams in the NFL: at Houston, home vs. Chicago and Detroit, and at a reeling Arizona team that went on to go from a 10-2 start to finishing at 11-7. He's also missed games every season due to injury.

Walker, on the other hand, was amongst the most durable players in college football and plays the exact style that Pete Carroll wants to run with their rebuilding team. Penny may be the play to start the year, but it's taken four years just to force a timeshare, and I wouldn't guarantee him getting his starting spot back if he were to go down.

PICK: Kenneth Walker III

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