The Seattle Seahawks spent the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft on Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price, handing a first-round nod to a one-cut accelerator with serious kickoff-return juice. Price steps into a Seattle backfield that just watched Kenneth Walker III walk in free agency and is already juggling multiple injury concerns, so the selection instantly sets up a crowded battle for early-down work and reshapes the rookie storylines heading into OTAs and training camp.
According to NFL.com, Seattle made Price the final pick of Round 1 on Thursday night. His name was called after Notre Dame teammate Jeremiyah Love went near the top of the draft, giving the Fighting Irish a rare pair of first-round running backs. Front office observers say the move gives Seattle a direct answer at a position that became an immediate question after Walker's departure.
What Price Brings
Price logged 674 rushing yards on 113 carries with 11 rushing touchdowns in his senior season, averaging about 6.0 yards per carry, according to Notre Dame Athletics. Over his Notre Dame career he totaled roughly 1,692 yards on about 280 carries, with multiple return and receiving scores, per StatMuse. Scouts have highlighted his vision, quick-twitch cuts in tight spaces and special teams impact, pointing to a 100-yard kickoff return and a screen-pass touchdown on his highlight reel.
How He Fits In Seattle
The Seahawks still have a handful of backs on the roster: George Holani, Emanuel Wilson, Cam Akers and Jacardia Wright are all in the mix, according to Field Gulls. Seattle also heads into the offseason with key pieces rehabbing knee surgery, most notably Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh, a situation the team itself highlighted in preseason and draft coverage on Seahawks.com. That blend of exits, injuries and light proven depth explains why the franchise was willing to spend a first-rounder on a back they believe can shoulder a real workload.
Early Grades And Analyst Takeaways
Reaction to the pick has focused on both ceiling and polish. Coverage has noted that Price shows starting-caliber traits while pointing to work still needed in his game, especially as a pass catcher and with ball security, according to reporting in The New York Times. Draft-night analysts have split on whether he is ready to be a heavy-volume option right away or more of a specialty weapon whose explosiveness is best unleashed in specific packages. For Seattle, the practical takeaway is simple enough: Price gives the coaching staff a power-and-burst option to lean on while veteran backs work their way back.
Price now heads to Seattle for rookie orientation and the offseason program, where he will compete for carries and special teams roles. How quickly he climbs the depth chart will come down to how he looks in camp and how he fits in the locker room, but the Seahawks have already made one thing clear with this pick: they want a back who can grind between the tackles and still flip the field with chunk plays on the edge.
