Who Should I Start? Jeremy McNichols or Rashaad Penny

Monday, April 1, 2:02 PM

The Washington Commanders signed free-agent running back Jeremy McNichols to an undisclosed deal on Monday. McNichols spent most of last year on the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad but did play a special teams role in three regular-season games. The former fifth-round pick (162nd overall) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017 out of Boise State will serve as running back depth in Washington behind Austin Ekeler, Brian Robinson Jr. and Chris Rodriguez Jr. There's a good chance the 28-year-old will be on the team's practice squad to begin the 2024 regular season if he isn't cut after training camp and the preseason. In his six NFL seasons with four different teams, McNichols has only 90 carries for 364 yards and one rushing touchdown, adding 40 receptions for 295 yards and an additional score in 37 games (zero starts).

Thursday, April 18, 12:00 AM

The Seattle Seahawks reportedly visiting with unrestricted free-agent running back Rashaad Penny on Wednesday. Seattle is pretty familiar with Penny after taking him with the 27th overall pick in the 2018 draft out of San Diego State. The 28-year-old flashed moments of brilliance in the first five seasons with the Seahawks but just was never able to stay healthy enough to stay on the field for long stretches. Penny averaged 5.7 yards per carry with 1,918 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 337 carries in Seattle while also catching 27 passes for 222 yards and another score. He had his smallest role yet with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023, carrying the ball 11 times for 33 yards in three regular-season games. A move back to Seattle would have Penny serving as backfield depth behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.