’Hawking more stash candidates

Nostalgia can be great. Think way, way back, to the time when Royce Freeman was the hottest rookie running back in fantasy drafts outside of Saquon Barkley? Remember when there was a debate regarding Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs over who would be the more productive Vikings receiver? Can you recall the argument about which rookie RB had the best outlook between Rashaad Penny and Ronald Jones II?

Ah … those were the days, back in August and early September. And now, we know so much more. Freeman gave way to Phillip Lindsay. Thielen has put to rest any Diggs debate. And … well, Penny and Jones are both still unusable.

But will they remain that way? Will one break out, or even get the opportunity to do so? Well, yes and no. As in, yes, Penny will, and no, Jones won’t. Or more accurately, even if Jones does, it won’t matter.

Look, we know it is a tough time of year to think about late-season stashes. With the bye weeks and injuries and committees, it is hard enough to find startable players sometimes. And maybe you can’t act until a couple of weeks down the road. But this is the time to put certain names on your radar. And one of those names is Penny.

Why? Penny for my thoughts? Well, let’s look at the Seahawks’ backf ield situation. First, they are running the ball more often than any team in the league — averaging nearly 32 attempts. And now, the RB who has gotten the most run, Chris Carson, is dealing with a new injury.

We say new because it seems Carson is always dealing with something. He suffered a broken leg last season. This year he had a hip issue. At some point, a groin problem binged the radar. Sunday, it was an apparent thigh problem that sidelined him for the game early in the second half.

Maybe he plays this week, maybe not, but he has a constant “Q” for questionable beside his name. Behind him is Just Another Guy Mike Davis. His 4.3 yards per carry this season is exactly a yard better than his career average. So consider us skeptical he suddenly “finds himself ” in his fourth year on his second team and starts busting up opposing defenses if Carson has to sit out.

Penny, on the other hand, has a limited track record. And no, it isn’t good, but he also doesn’t have a depressing track record dating back years. Penny’s 3.6-per-carry average dates back to Week 1 of this year, not four years, like Davis.

So if Carson misses time, don’t be surprised if Penny gets a good look. Especially compared to Jones, who have averaged just 2.2 per carry and has a pair of JAGs ahead of him on the depth chart — Peyton Barber and Jacquizz Rodgers. And the Buccaneers attempt almost eight fewer rushes per game than Seattle.

It is easier to obtain RBs based on future projections than immediate impact. Penny is one we have our eye on. Jones is not.