Chicago Bears draft: Running backs that could replace Jordan Howard

Rashaad Penny, San Diego State

Like a lot of Group of 5 players, Penny will face plenty of questions about the level of competition he faced in college while transitioning to the NFL.

Then again, thanks to guys like Arizona’s David Johnson (Northern Iowa) and Hunt (Toledo), last year’s rushing champ as a rookie, people are starting to realize that these kids can just ball.

Penny looks to be the latest of that lineage to break out in the NFL. And with his size/speed combination and open field ability, he’s exactly the kind of player the Bears could target if they’re looking to move on from Howard.

When you watch him navigate holes at the line of scrimmage, you can just see the makings of a true workhorse back. It’s not always the cleanest, but he displays nice patience to set up blocks and then hits holes with a vengeance.

And though he doesn’t have amazing speed or explosiveness, he has more than enough to break big runs even as Howard does.

Where he’s going to stand out to teams like the Bears, though, is his ability to catch the football and be a problem in the open field.

While scouts suggest that his route running needs some work, his hands work just fine.

He served as a kickoff and punt returner last season, for one thing, so you know his team trusted his hands enough for that. And he certainly looked comfortable catching the football out of the backfield, too.

I realize this is just one play, but try to imagine Jordan Howard doing this.

Yeah, I can’t either.

If the Chicago Bears were to pick up another Day 2 pick, either by trading back in the draft or otherwise making a deal (say, trading Jordan Howard…), Penny could very well be there for Pace and Co. And if he’s there when the Bears pick twice in the fourth round? You’d better believe he’s on the radar then.

He’s not exactly Saquon Barkley, but if you want an explosive playmaker with the potential to be a truly dominant back, Penny can do that for you just fine.