Seattle Seahawks rookie running back Jadarian Price is poised to make an immediate impact in Year 1 because he enters one of the league's best situations for a rookie back. With an opportunity to emerge as Seattle's featured runner, Price has the talent and versatility to seize the backfield from the jump.
The Super Bowl champions' main weakness before the 2026 NFL Draft was at running back after MVP Kenneth Walker III left for the Chiefs. With Zach Charbonnet recovering from an ACL injury, Price is expected to take over as the starter and primary ball carrier due to his talent and the versatility he brings to the backfield.
By choosing Price as their 32nd overall pick, the Seahawks signaled their confidence in the former Notre Dame standout, who impressed while playing alongside Jeremiyah Love for the Fighting Irish. Fans and the team alike are hoping that Price and Charbonnet will develop into the same type of dynamic duo at the NFL level. While it will take Charbonnet time to get back to the player he was before the injury, Price should excel in an expanded role in Seattle.
Jadarian Price has a clear path to Seattle's starting job
Although he does have some competition with George Holani also expected to land an expanded role at running back with the team, Price’s resume and what he can do with the ball in his hand will have the 12th Man in Seattle buzzing sooner rather than later, especially if he showcases some of that explosiveness throughout training camp and during the preseason schedule.
That explosiveness showed up consistently during Price's final season at Notre Dame, where he averaged 6.0 yards per carry while rushing for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns. Those numbers may have been even bigger had he not shared the workload with Love. Despite playing second fiddle to the greatness that was Love, Price was a money player at Notre Dame when he got his time to shine and cemented himself as the No. 2 running back entering the draft.
Seahawks GM already sees what makes Jadarian Price special
Price's big-play ability is exactly what excited Seahawks general manager John Schneider throughout the evaluation process.
“Instant acceleration, vision, cut back ability, but his ability to work it back, not just completely bouncing all the time, working it back inside. And then probably his contact balance," Schneider said a month following the draft. "One of his super talents is his ability to cut back and crease it. He has home run speed; he has a lot of explosive runs. He has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in his career, two this year. That’s such a unique feel. The USC game was ridiculous. Just that instant acceleration.”
In that USC game Schneider is referring to, Price pulled off a 100-yard kickoff return to go along with 87 yards rushing and a touchdown in a 34-24 victory. That game alone should win over fans as to how Price can single-handedly take over a game. While there will be competition with Holani for the lead back role come Week 1, there is no denying that Price will have success with the Seahawks in Year 1.
Walker surpassed the 1,000-yard mark last season, leaving behind the blueprint for what Seattle expects from its lead running back. Price has the explosiveness, balance, and home-run ability to eventually fill that role if he continues to develop. His success will depend on how quickly he adapts to the NFL game, but the opportunity is there. Once he earns the coaching staff's trust, it could become difficult to keep the rookie off the field.
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