Seahawks Add Jadarian Price to Jump-Start Ground Game

In a move that signals a return to foundational identity, the Seattle Seahawks selected Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The selection, orchestrated by a front office under renewed pressure to stabilize a volatile roster, targets a specific and urgent need: the reactivation of a ground game that has eroded the franchise’s strategic balance. For a franchise that has oscillated between high-powered aerial attacks and stagnant, one-dimensional efforts, Price arrives as a potential fulcrum to restore rhythm, control tempo, and provide the stability that has been absent in recent seasons.

Price, a dynamic runner with a low center of gravity and a rare combination of vision and acceleration, is designed to be the between-the-tackles anchor that Seattle’s offensive line has struggled to consistently empower. His presence is not merely an addition to the backfield; it is a recalibration of the entire offensive approach, forcing defenses to respect the run earlier and creating the vertical opportunities that have defined successful iterations of the Seahawks’ storied Legion of Boom era. This pick addresses a critical flaw that has allowed opponents to script entire drives without fear of a sustained ground attack, a flaw that has directly contributed to inconsistent offensive outputs and an overreliance on high-variance passing plays.

Ground-Game Woes and Fixes

Throughout the 2025 season, the Seahawks’ rushing attack became a glaring vulnerability, ranking in the lower quartile of the league in both EPA per carry and red-zone touchdown efficiency. This statistical stagnation was not an isolated incident but a symptom of a deeper systemic issue: an overdependence on pre-snap motion and scripted passing plays that often stalled in the face of disciplined, stacked boxes. The offense, which had shown flashes of brilliance with a vertical tempo, found itself predictably one-dimensional when faced with defensive adjustments that prioritized run support over pass coverage. The result was a frustrating cycle of three-and-outs and stalled drives that placed an undue burden on the passing game.

Head coach Pete Carroll, a legendary architect of run-first football during his earlier tenures with the franchise, has openly acknowledged the need for a stabilizing force. In internal film sessions and subsequent press briefings, Carroll’s staff has conceded that without a dominant runner capable of setting the edge and forcing linebackers to flow naturally, the timing of the entire offense suffers. Blitz rates have crept higher as pass rushers face less resistance in the backfield, creating a negative feedback loop where the inability to run begets a greater reliance on the pass, which in turn invites more aggressive pass-rushing schemes. The unit requires a player who can function as a true bell-cow, capable of absorbing early contact and softening coverage alignments to create cleaner lanes for playmakers like receiver Tyler Lockett and emerging quarterback prospect Jayden Maiuri.

Film study over the past three seasons reveals a distinct dip in explosive run production—gains of 10+ yards—during formations that stacked multiple defenders at the line of scrimmage. Linebackers, unthreatened by a primary runner who could consistently attack the perimeter, were able to key on gaps with precision and shed blocks with relative ease. The solution lies in a dual-pronged approach: establishing Price as a reliable downhill runner to force defenses into narrower boxes, thereby creating the necessary width for outside zone stretches, and integrating him into a more dynamic read-option framework that leverages his natural burst. This balance is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the West Coast offense’s timing mechanics, ensuring that playmakers remain engaged rather than isolated.

From a strategic standpoint, Seattle can leverage Price’s rookie season by scripting high snap counts on early downs, particularly in base formations that align him as the primary decision-maker. While his receiving volume may not immediately rival established veterans, his red-zone utilization should be immediate and significant. Projections indicate a 55–60% share of early carries, a distribution that would not only tick up time-of-possession—an invaluable asset against a potentially porous pass rush—but also establish a rhythm that demoralizes opposing defensive coordinators. The front office will undoubtedly monitor his preseason contact, his responsiveness to coaching cues, and his performance against simulated blitzes before anointing him the definitive lead back, but the foundation for his success is undeniably present.

Fantasy Fallout and Fit

For the fantasy football community, the arrival of Jadarian Price has already begun to reshape draft strategies and season-long projections. According to analysis from CBS Sports, Price is projected to emerge as a top-tier, or “bell-cow,” fantasy back in his rookie year, with an immediate ceiling that places him as a potential top-12 producer in standard scoring formats. His draftability is expected to be significant, with reputable sources indicating he could be available as early as the fifth round in redraft leagues—a remarkable position for a first-round-caliber talent, largely due to the novelty of his collegiate system aligning perfectly with Seattle’s base offensive structure.

Notre Dame’s offensive scheme, built upon a foundation of gap integrity and disciplined run fits, mirrors the fundamental principles of Seattle’s base defense-turned-offense philosophy. This structural harmony is expected to shorten Price’s learning curve dramatically, allowing him to quickly master the nuances of inside traps, wide-zone stretches, and the subtle pull mechanics that are hallmarks of a mature ground game. The numbers from his collegiate tape reveal a pattern of explosive burst from cutback lanes, a trait that is perfectly suited to the zone-read mesh concepts that Pete Carroll’s offense frequently employs. Coaches can script inside zone looks to soften coverages and open deep shots down the seam, but the unit must still prove its mettle against heavy, 4-3 under fronts that test the cohesion of the offensive line.

The leap to consistent top-12 ground production is not merely a function of talent but of health and complementary play. Seattle’s offensive line, which has been a subject of ongoing development, must demonstrate the ability to sustain blocks against disciplined, two-gap techniques. Furthermore, the receiving corps must provide reliable intermediate options to prevent defenses from completely stacking the box against Price. If these elements coalesce, the path to elite production becomes significantly clearer, transforming Price from a promising prospect into a foundational pillar of the Seahawks’ offensive identity.

Depth Chart and What’s Next

The current depth chart now reflects a clear, tiered structure designed to maximize flexibility and situational prowess. Jadarian Price occupies the primary bell-cow role, tasked with setting the tempo and controlling the narrative of each drive. This is complemented by a veteran lead back, whose role is increasingly defined by situational specialization—thriving in short-yardage conversions and as a reliable outlet in passing situations—thereby preserving freshness and explosiveness for Price. A committee of complementary backs rounds out the group, providing additional receiving options and security in the event of injury or fatigue.

This configuration allows Carroll to rotate fresh legs strategically, ensuring that the offense remains dynamic rather than predictable. Defenses, in turn, must declare their intent earlier in the down, revealing coverage shells and blitz intentions that can be exploited through well-timed play-action fakes. The data suggests that when Seattle can lean on a downhill runner capable of punishing initial contact, the passing game enjoys significantly cleaner pockets and enhanced high-low read options. This creates a cascading effect: better run control leads to better play-action, which leads to more efficient third-down conversions and, ultimately, a more balanced, resilient offense.

The path to top-12 ground production is paved with execution, and its success hinges on two critical variables: the health of the offensive line and the consistency of complementary play. If the line can establish a reliable pocket and create the necessary running lanes, and if the receiving corps can provide adequate support to keep defenses honest, the leap is not only possible but probable. Film from intra-squad scrimmages indicates that Price is rapidly developing a feel for the nuances of the professional game, suggesting that the transition from collegiate star to NFL cornerstone could be remarkably swift.

Key Developments

• Seattle tabbed Notre Dame back Jadarian Price with pick 32 in the 2026 draft, a strategic move to address critical deficiencies in run game execution.
• Price projects as a top-tier fantasy asset and a potential top-12 ground producer as a rookie, draftable as early as Round 5 in redraft formats due to scheme compatibility.
• Notre Dame’s gap-based offensive structure aligns seamlessly with Seattle’s base defensive principles, facilitating a rapid integration into complex inside traps and pull mechanics.
• The selection underscores a league-wide trend of teams prioritizing foundational run game stability as a prerequisite for maximizing vertical passing attacks.
• In-season performance metrics, particularly EPA per carry in condensed formations, will serve as the primary indicator of Price’s immediate impact and long-term viability within the Seattle system.