Seahawks plan early rotation role for rookie RB Jadarian Price amid backfield injuries

The Seattle Seahawks have outlined an early-season plan for rookie running back Jadarian Price asourceser selecting him with the No. 32 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Drasources.

With Kenneth Walker III departing in free agency and Zach Charbonnet expected to miss a significant portion of the season while recovering from ACL surgery, Seattle is preparing to lean on Price as an important part of its rushing rotation — without immediately labeling him the unquestioned RB1.

How Seattle sees Price fitting in Seattle is expected to use Price in a role similar to the one Walker occupied, while also mixing in free-agent addition Emanuel Wilson and George Holani.

Charbonnet tore his ACL in the Seahawks’ divisional-round playoff game and did not have surgery until February. Typical recovery timelines for ACL repairs would put his return toward the end of the season, though comments from the team have conveyed hope he can progress faster.

College usage and skill set At Notre Dame, Price played behind Jeremiyah Love and averaged roughly 18.5 snaps and nearly nine touches per game over the past two seasons. In that span, he rushed for 1,420 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

Seattle believes Price’s traits fit its run-game approach, which is expected to continue leaning on outside-zone concepts under new coordinator Brian Fleury. General manager John Schneider pointed to Price’s “instant acceleration, vision, [and] cutback-ability,” along with his contact balance, as key reasons the Seahawks viewed him as a strong scheme fit.

Passing-game and special-teams possibilities Price caught only 15 passes over three college seasons, but the Seahawks said they saw encouraging signs as a receiver during rookie minicamp.

He also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in college. Seattle already has a Pro Bowl returner in Rashid Shaheed, but has indicated it is open to using Price in the return game as well.

Holani is being evaluated for potential third-down work because of his receiving and pass-protection skills, while Wilson (listed at 5-foot-10, 226 pounds) gives the backfield a power-running option in Charbonnet’s absence.