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Rashaad Penny Dynasty Outlook

The NFL's Panthers inked Rashaad Penny as a low-risk, high-reward addition. The running back must prove value to fantasy football owners.

Rashaad Penny‘s role within the Carolina Panthers’ crowded running back room probably will not be determined until after training camp.

Possibly longer.

Until the regular season opens or an unforeseen injury occurs to one of the Panthers’ top running backs, the dynasty value for Penny likely will remain unknown.  

Coming off an NFL-worst 2-15 campaign, the Panthers’ gutted their offensive coaching staff and off-season roster. Under the direction of first-year general manager Dan Morgan and coach Dave Canales, the new-look Panthers reconstructed the offensive line and plan to utilize a run-first philosophy as second-year quarterback Bryce Young attempts to rebound from an uneventful internship.

Is Rashaad Penny Next? 

Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders will enter training camp as the top two running backs on the depth chart. Hubbard emerged as the primary back in Week 6 last season and came within 98 yards of reaching the 1,000-yard milestone. Sanders, who signed a four-year, $25 million deal last offseason, averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. He looks to rebound.

Rookie Jonathon Brooks (knee) missed the offseason program and remains on schedule to return before the Panthers open the season at the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 8. When the second-round draft pick is cleared to make his professional debut on the practice field, Brooks likely will slot into the RB3 role. 

Will Penny be next? 

First, he likely must beat out Raheem Blackshear and undrafted free agent Jaden Shirden. Entering his third season, Blackshear has compiled just 37 rushing attempts and probably will contribute mostly on special teams. A small college runner with big-play abilities, Shirden’s path to a roster spot likely will initiate with a practice-squad stint. 

So where does that leave Penny? 

Good question. 

Penny Must Stand Out In Crowded RB Room 

When he wasn’t sidelined, Penny has proved to be an effective, between-the-tackles grinder, averaging a robust 5.6 yards per attempt in 348 career carries. But the 2018 first-round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks was rarely healthy.

Morgan and Canales were on the Seahawks’ staff when Penny was selected 27th overall out of San Diego State. Their familiarity led the Panthers to sign the free agent, despite Penny gaining just 33 yards on 11 carries for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023. 

At 28 years old, Penny must stay off injured reserve and remain patient for any chance to earn dynasty value within the Panthers’ crowded running back room. 

Still, Penny could develop into a low-risk, high-reward signing by Morgan.

If he can stay healthy and patient and compete like he did in 2021.

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Main Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Hawkins

Jeff Hawkins is a two-time APSE award-winning sports writer with four decades of print and digital media experience. A freelancer since 2006, Hawkins spent his early career as a reporter/editor for various newspapers in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois.

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