The Seattle Seahawks didn’t find the greatest value at the end of the first round in the 2026 NFL Draft. At least that was one of the top takeaways from pundits, as the Seahawks grabbed Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price at No. 32 overall.
But if just simply landing Price was the goal, then Seattle achieved its wish. The team also did so while thinking it had competition for Price inside the NFC West.
ESPN’s Brady Henderson reported Saturday the Seahawks considered the San Francisco 49ers, along with other teams trading back into the first round, a potential Price suitor.
“Five of the six spots immediately preceding Seattle’s pick at 32 changed hands amid a flurry of trades, including Tennessee moving up to 31,” wrote Henderson. “That led to a few nervous minutes in the Seahawks’ draft room, with some fearing that the Titans — who were heavily linked to Love with the fourth pick — were jumping ahead of Seattle for Price.
“There was also concern that the San Francisco 49ers might take him with the first pick of the second round; Seattle’s division rivals later drafted Indiana running back Kaelon Black in Round 3.”
Price could be Seattle’s starting running back when the 2026 season opens. At Notre Dame last season, Price ran for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging six yards per carry.
Seahawks Showed Concerned RB Jadarian Price Had Other Suitors
A lot of draft analysts ranked Price as the second-best running back in the 2026 class. Price’s teammate, fellow running back Jeremiyah Love went No. 3 overall to the Arizona Cardinals. So, Price was the top available running back for most of the first round.
Not everyone considered him a first-round pick. But clearly, the Seahawks were uneasy about Price going off the board before they would have a chance to select him.
The Seahawks were a trade back candidate at No. 32 overall entering the 2026 NFL Draft. Moving back would have enabled Seattle to acquire more picks. The team only had four entering the draft.
But the Seahawks stayed at No. 32 to ensure they landed Price.
While the selection maybe wasn’t the best value, the Seahawks got the running back they liked. Then later in the draft, Seattle made moves to acquire more selections.
What Price Showed at Seahawks Rookie Minicamp
The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta reported the Seahawks “erred” on the side of caution during the team’s rookie minicamp over the weekend. But Price still had an opportunity to showcase what he could do.
Condotta wrote Price caught quite a few passes out of the backfield, working on that part of his game. In three seasons at Notre Dame, he only registered 15 receptions for 162 yards.
Price also took one kickoff return during a special teams drill.
During 2025, the running back returned two out of his 12 kickoffs for touchdowns. Condotta reported the Seahawks could give Price an opportunity to return kicks in 2026.
It will be interesting to see how the team manages the rookie’s snaps, though, as he could be an offensive starter. The Seahawks drafted Price to replace departed Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
The team also has running backs Zach Charbonnet, Emanuel Wilson, Jacardia Wright, Kenny McIntosh and George Holani on the roster.
Charbonnet is recovering from a January knee injury this offseason. Price and Wilson could split backfield snaps early in the regular season.
Seahawks Feared Division Rival Could Steal RB Jadarian Price: Report