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.
SLIDESHOW: 30 Best Sports Instagrams!
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
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:
SLIDESHOW: 10 Highest-Paid Athletes
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.
William Contreras has had a year he will never forget, from winning his home country…
The Dallas Cowboys' season hasn't gone the way they wanted for America’s team. Heading into…
Trophyless seasons and empty stats – those were the words always connected with Harry Kane.…
Portland Trail Blazers star Ja Morant says he plans to appeal the technical foul he…
Bad news for the Minnesota Timberwolves as superstar guard Anthony Edwards is set to miss…
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed kicker Justin Tucker to their practice squad after being…