The Seattle Seahawks selected San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny as the No. 27 pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday night after trading down, and fans on Twitter were left shocked.
The Seahawks had announced earlier in the night that they had sent the No. 18 (cornerback Jaire Alexander of Louisville) and No. 248 picks to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for the 27th, 76th and 186th picks.
Penny was the leading rusher in the country for the 2017 NCAA season, and received All-American honors.
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Seattle has been desperate to add a rusher to its roster, as the team has suffered multiple injuries to the position and seen very tepid performances from its running backs. Quarterback Russell Wilson led the Seahawks in rushing in 2017.
According to ESPN, several other top college running backs like Georgia’s Sony Michel and Nick Chubb — as well as LSU’s Derrius Guice — were widely predicted to be chosen before Penny. Thus, fans were understandably surprised by Seattle’s first selection in the draft:
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Penny logged 2,248 rushing yards, 135 receiving yards, 23 ground touchdowns and two touchdown catches last season, per ESPN stats. He gained a notable ability to set up blocks.
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