Beat: Jadarian Price targeted ‘a lot’ at camp

Charbonnet is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in the Divisional Round last year. He can be activated from the PUP list at any time, though the most likely outcome is that he misses all of camp and is then moved to the reserve/PUP list. That would require him to miss at least the first four games of the season. With Kenneth Walker gone, the Seahawks will rely on first-round rookie Jadarian Price to start the year. George Holani and Emmanuel Wilson could also mix in for some touches, with Holani likely operating as the primary option on passing downs.

Henderson says the expectation is that Price will split work with incumbent George Holani and free agent signee Emanuel Wilson while the team waits for Zach Charbonnet (ACL) to make his return. We’ll see if a clear-cut RB1 emerges for the Seahawks during training camp, but this is shaping up to be a messy backfield during the early part of the season based on where things stand right now. One concern about Price entering the draft was his ability to contribute in the passing game, but Henderson notes that he “looked plenty capable as a pass catcher in the spring,” so it’s possible he could see more work than we initially anticipated. Price is the only running back with an ADP of note in early fantasy drafts, while both Holani and Wilson are going un-drafted more often than not. With Holani and Wilson being virtually free in drafts, their ADP presents a nice buying opportunity for fantasy managers looking for late-round sleepers that could make an early impact this season.

Charbonnet suffered a torn ACL in Seattle’s first playoff game during their Super Bowl run. He has done some light work at minicamp and MacDonald hinted that he’s ahead of schedule. It would still be surprising to see Charbonnet on the field for Week 1, but it’s at least a good sign that MacDonald is leaving the door open. If he isn’t ready for the start of the season, George Holani would be in line to back up first-round rookie Jadarian Price. Holani would likely see the bulk of his snaps on passing downs, giving him some RB3 potential in PPR leagues.

The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell notes that Price got “entire drives with the starters Wednesday,” which was more first-team work than the 32nd pick in this year’s draft got in OTAs.” Price is still behind RB George Holani in the pecking order, but Price’s increased involvement is a good sign. Bell referred to Price as the “RB1A” in a social media post, linking to the article in reference, indicating he still thinks Price will be the team’s starter. Holani has simply earned the coaching staff’s trust and could have a role in the regular season. We will see how things shake out in training camp, though.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports that Price is expected to sign the fully guaranteed deal later today. A recent report suggested that Price will not operate as the Seahawks’ bell cow right away, but operating as the committee leader seems like a safe bet. Price is an explosive rusher, but lacks experience as a receiver and pass protector. He may be best viewed as an early-season FLEX, though more reports on Price’s development and potential workload will roll in this spring and summer.

Fowler talked to league executives, coaches, and scouts about every team’s haul of rookies from the draft, so this may not come directly from the Seahawks. Still, it means that at least some people around the league don’t think Price will be a three-down back early in the year. Price struggled in pass protection and only caught 15 passes over three years at Notre Dame. He’s an explosive runner between the tackles, but his limitations are readily apparent on passing downs. Price will likely split work with George Holani out of the gates, making him more of an RB3 for Week 1.

The defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks entered the draft with just four picks, with Schneider saying in the days leading up to the draft that the team would “be looking to move back.” With no deal in place, the Seahawks went out and addressed a glaring need at running back with the selection of Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price with the No. 32 overall pick. Price figures to see an early workload as a rookie with Zach Charbonnet (Achilles) likely to miss a good portion of the season and Kenneth Walker now with the Chiefs. Standing in his way, at least for now, is Emanuel Wilson, who rushed for 125-496-3 with the Packers last season, but Price feels like a fairly safe bet to at least open the 2026 season in a committee with Wilson, but with only 15 career receptions to his name he could be at risk of sitting on most third downs. With two Day 2 picks at their disposal (No. 64 and No. 96), it’s possible Schneider still finds a way to acquire more picks later in the draft to give the Seahawks more options beyond the fourth-round pick they currently hold on Day 3.

Price (5’11/203) missed his freshman season after suffering a torn Achilles during summer workouts. Though he only played a backup role as a sophomore, his kick return production — highlighted by a touchdown versus USC — proved the Achilles issue was behind him. Price unfortunately never got his chance to truly shine at Notre Dame as he would play behind Jeremiyah Love over the next two seasons. He racked up 233 carries for 1,420 yards and 18 scores during that time. In 2025, Price easily led the country in kickoff return yards per attempt (37.5) and tied the FBS-high in return touchdowns at two. Price is a one-cut sprinter, but his 4.49 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine isn’t overwhelmingly fast. He’s also severely limited as a pass-catcher, having brought down a total of 15 balls over three seasons. Price’s limitations may put a ceiling on his fantasy value, but he fits the boom/bust archetype that has worked out for players like Ken Walker and DeVon Achane in recent years. Price should immediately slot in as the RB1 for the Seahawks with Kenneth Walker now in Kansas City and Zach Charbonnet recovering from ACL reconstruction.

Per Rapoport, “NFL evaluators and coaches really, really like” Price, though Notre Dame’s 2025 backup should not be viewed as the “consensus” RB2 at this time. Rapoport adds that it is possible a team will choose to draft Price at the end of the first round, but being drafted in the second round is “probably the sweet spot” for him. Price missed his 2022 freshman season after rupturing his left Achilles tendon during a summer workout. He played a minor role in 2023 before becoming Notre Dame’s RB2 in 2024. Over the past two seasons, he rushed 233 times for for 1,420 yards and 18 touchdowns and caught 10 passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns.