4 RBs the Jaguars can sign in free agency after releasing Carlos Hyde

No. 2 RB the Jaguars can target in free agency – Rashaad Penny.

The Seattle Seahawks are good at finding running backs in the draft but for some reason, none of the ones they’ve found in recent years have managed to stay healthy. Among those that showed potential but never truly took off were Alex Collins, Christine Michael, Chris Carson, and C.J Prosise. Another running back that hasn’t lived up to his draft billing yet is Rashaad Penny.

A first-round selection in the 2018 NFL Draft, Penny was supposed to stabilize the running back position in Seattle but he’s dealt with a myriad of injuries over the last four years and has missed a concerning 28 games over the last four seasons. Back in his rookie campaign, he hurt his hand in practice and later had to sit out two outings with a knee injury. The following year, he tore his ACL, which forced him to miss a good chunk of the 2020 season.

On the other hand, Penny showed last season he got plenty of talent, amassing 119 carries for 789 yards and six touchdowns. If he manages to stay healthy, he would give the Jaguars’ running back room a boost. However, that’s a big if and the team’s brass would need to embrace the possibility that he will most likely sit out a few games in 2022.

Penny may not be suited to be a lead back but he wouldn’t have to be one in Jacksonville. Instead, he would offer insurance in case Travis Etienne experiences a setback in his recovery or James Robinson misses more time than expected. The talent is there but in a sport where availability is the most important ability, Penny’s injury history could give the Jaguars pause.