SEATTLE — The Seahawks have zero proven starting running backs for Week 1. Kenneth Walker III signed with the Chiefs in free agency. Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the playoffs and won’t be back until late 2026 at the earliest. That leaves a committee of Emanuel Wilson and George Holani unless Seattle does something big on April 23.
Jeremiah Pushes Hard for Price at the Top of Round 1
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah has made his stance crystal clear. He sees a steep drop-off after the top two backs in this class and believes Jadarian Price can step in and start right away. Jeremiah told The Joel Klatt Show on April 13 that if you’re not on the Price train, “I’m not feeling great about you having a running back you think could start next year.”
Price’s 2025 numbers at Notre Dame back up the hype. He carried the ball just 113 times behind Heisman finalist Jeremiyah Love but still ripped off 674 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and a scorching 6.0 yards per carry. He forced 32 missed tackles and piled up 3.9 yards after contact. As a receiver he added 87 yards and two scores on just six catches.
You could feel the buzz at the Combine when Price ran a 4.49 forty and showed the same decisive cuts that made him a nightmare in limited reps. The Seahawks’ zone-heavy scheme would let him hit creases fast and wear down defenses late in games — exactly what Walker delivered before he left.
Why Some Analysts Say Pump the Brakes
Not everyone is sold on spending the 32nd pick. FanSided’s Rucker Haringey wrote on March 22 that the Seahawks cannot let desperation push them into a first-round reach. “He could be a quality choice for Seattle in Round 3,” Haringey warned, “but taking him at No. 32 is far too rich. He simply doesn’t possess the special qualities required to reach that sort of rare air as a prospect.”
The Athletic’s Robert Mays voiced the same worry back on March 19. Without a dynamic back, the offense that rolled through the second half of last season simply won’t look the same. Wilson and Holani can hold the fort for a few weeks, but the explosive plays that defined Seattle’s championship run came from real difference-makers in the backfield.
Price’s workload was limited in college. He never carried more than 113 times in a season. Some scouts question whether his frame (5-11, 203 pounds) can handle 250-plus touches right away. The Seahawks already signed Wilson to a one-year deal worth up to $2.1 million to buy themselves time. That move gives them breathing room — or an excuse to wait until Round 3.
Playoff Implications / What’s Next
Seattle returns as defending champs but opens the season with a backfield that looks more like a revolving door than a strength. Drafting Price at 32 would signal they refuse to take a step back on offense. He’d immediately compete with Wilson for early-down work and give the line a fresh set of legs once Charbonnet returns around Thanksgiving.
Pass on Price and the room stays thin. The offense loses the home-run threat that made defenses respect the run game. April 23 is nine days away. General manager John Schneider has to decide if Price is the missing piece that keeps the champs rolling — or if the price tag at the end of the first round is simply too steep for a position they can address later.
