Price's explosive playmaking addresses a critical gap, offering game-changing potential that B+ grades might underestimate for the Seahawks.
The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2026 NFL Draft with a clear objective: find playmakers who can bring balance back to the offense. With questions lingering about consistency in the run game, the front office used its first-round pick to target a player capable of making an immediate difference.
That player is Jadarian Price, one of the most explosive offensive prospects in this year’s class. Known for his acceleration, vision, and ability to turn routine carries into big gains, Price offers a skill set that can quickly change the rhythm of a game.
And a lot of people were a fan of the pick.
In a recent article by Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, he grades each pick from the first round of the draft. And he gives the reigning Super Bowl champions taking the Notre Dame running back a solid B+.
But context matters—and in Seattle’s case, it matters a lot. The Seahawks didn’t draft Price just because he was a top player on the board. They drafted him because he fills a pressing need.
Star running back Kenneth Walker III was one of the driving forces behind the team's Super Bowl run, but he left for the AFC in free agency and went to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Usually, the Seahawks wouldn't have a ton to worry about, as Zach Charbonnet has been one of the best backups in the league the last few seasons. But after he suffered a torn ACL in the Divisional against the San Francisco 49ers, it left the team with a glaring hole going into the offseason.
To remedy that problem, the team used their first-round pick on the best backup in college football this past season.
Price may have been behind Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, but he was still able to rack up 674 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Not only that, but he also contributed in the passing game with a pair of scores.
When viewed strictly through a league-wide lens, the evaluation might seem fair. But when factoring in roster construction, scheme fit, and immediate opportunity, it’s reasonable to believe the pick deserves a higher mark. Not every first-round selection is about positional hierarchy—sometimes it’s about solving a problem in the most direct way possible.
If Price develops like Seattle thinks he could, this selection will look far more impactful than its initial grade suggests. And in time, it may be remembered as a move that deserved more credit from the start.