Jadarian Price was selected by the Seattle Seahawks with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming the second running back taken despite never starting a college game.
Price, a 5-foot-11, 203-pound running back from Notre Dame, accumulated 1,692 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns over three seasons while serving as a backup to Jeremiyah Love. His selection marks a rare instance of a first-round talent who spent his entire college career in a supporting role, having never recorded more than 15 touches in a single game.
The Seahawks’ decision to draft Price addresses a pressing need in their backfield following the departure of Kenneth Walker III in free agency and the extended absence of Zach Charbonnet due to an ACL tear. With Charbonnet expected to miss significant time, Price enters a competitive situation where he could emerge as the team’s primary ball carrier early in the season, particularly with veteran support from Emanuel Wilson.
Notre Dame’s running back duo of Price and Love presents a historic possibility: if Love is selected third overall as projected, the Fighting Irish would become the first school in Super Bowl era history to have the top two running backs chosen in the same draft. Only three previous instances exist of a school producing two of the top three running backs in a draft — Auburn in 2005, Arkansas in 2008, and Alabama in 2016 — but none featured the top two selections.
Price’s decision to remain at Notre Dame despite limited playing time was driven by personal and academic commitments. He emphasized the value of loyalty, citing his intent to complete a sociology degree and remain with teammates who contributed to his development. In interviews, he described the choice as a test of faith and resolve, stating that trusting his path ultimately positioned him for professional success.
From a fantasy football perspective, analysts project Price for a productive rookie season. Yahoo Sports forecasts 207 carries, 889 rushing yards, seven touchdowns, 19 receptions, and 127 receiving yards over 15 starts, assigning him a four-star rating. This output would position him as a top-30 redraft running back with upside should he secure a leading role in Seattle’s offense.
His dynasty value is similarly notable, with projections placing him as the RB24 in Superflex formats and a viable option in the sixth round of rookie drafts, contingent on the selection order of other highly regarded prospects like Love, Tate, Lemon, Tyson, and Mendoza.
Analysts acknowledge limitations in Price’s résumé, noting his lack of a feature-back workload and the benefit he derived from playing behind an elite offensive line at Notre Dame. However, his physical running style — characterized by broken tackles and consistent extra yards after contact — translates well to the NFL, and his pass-catching ability, though underutilized in college, is viewed as a developable asset.
The selection reflects a broader trend in NFL team building, where franchises increasingly value patience and developmental upside in late-first-round picks, particularly when those players arrive in favorable situations. For Seattle, a team aiming to sustain its Super Bowl contention, adding a versatile, downhill runner with growth potential aligns with a strategy of reinforcing core strengths while managing transitional phases in the roster.
How does Jadarian Price’s college production compare to other recent rookie running backs selected in the first round?
Price’s collegiate statistics — 1,692 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns over three seasons — are modest compared to recent first-round running backs, many of whom exceeded 1,000 yards in a single season. However, his efficiency and role as a backup in a high-powered offense differentiate his profile from traditional feature backs.
What role is Jadarian Price expected to play in the Seattle Seahawks’ offense during his rookie season?
Price is expected to compete for a significant role in the Seahawks’ backfield, potentially serving as a primary ball carrier early in the season due to Zach Charbonnet’s ACL recovery, with the possibility of sharing duties or emerging as the starter depending on performance and team needs.
