How the Seahawks’ Jadarian Price pick is unprecedented in NFL Draft history

TL;DR

The Seattle Seahawks selected running back Jadarian Price as the 32nd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, marking their first first-round running back pick since 2018. Price's selection is unprecedented as he had fewer touches than any running back drafted this early in NFL history.

Key points

Seahawks selected Jadarian Price as the 32nd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft
First first-round running back pick for Seahawks since Rashaad Penny in 2018
Price had fewer touches than any running back drafted this early in NFL history
Total of 295 offensive touches over three healthy seasons at Notre Dame
Price's injury history may impact his performance in the NFL

Seattle SeahawksJadarian Price2026 NFL DraftNotre Dame Fighting Irish

Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jadarian Price is selected by the Seattle Seahawks as the number 32 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Seattle Seahawks didn’t exactly surprise with their selection of a running back early in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it wasn’t like Jadarian Price wasn’t considered the option for the Seahawks at No. 32. It’s still nevertheless interesting that the Seahawks opted to use a first-rounder on a running back for the first time since Rashaad Penny in 2018, and unlike Penny, Price was second billing to the outstanding Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame. At no point in Price’s career did he start for the Fighting Irish, and he’s never even had a game with at least 15 carries. This stat from Scott Barrett is absolutely crazy to think about: no running back drafted this early has ever had fewer single-season touches than Jadarian Price. If you’re unfamiliar with Price’s history, he tore his Achilles and redshirted his freshman year, had 52 touches the following season, then worked his way up to 120 carries + 4 receptions in 2024, then 113 carries + 6 receptions last season. That’s only 295 offensive touches over the three seasons in which he was healthy enough to play. Keep in mind that Notre Dame played 16 games in 2024 on their way to an appearance in the national title game against Ohio State. It should be noted that Price had 22 kick returns (with three touchdowns), but that ain’t enough to really tack on meaningful mileage. To say that Price has very little tread on the tires is putting it mildly. The fact that he’s one of the top running backs in this year’s class on a comparatively small sample size does somewhat underscore how impressive he’s been when he’s had the ball, but there’s a big adjustment to be had for the wear-and-tear of an increased workload in the NFL. We’ll see if this pick of potential over extensive production pays off in the long run for John Schneider and the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. , and now they’ve got Price as a replacement.

Q&A

Why is Jadarian Price's selection by the Seahawks significant?

Jadarian Price's selection is significant because he is the first running back drafted in the first round by the Seahawks since 2018 and has the fewest touches of any running back selected this early in NFL Draft history.

What were Jadarian Price's career stats at Notre Dame before the NFL Draft?

Before the NFL Draft, Jadarian Price had a total of 295 offensive touches over three seasons, including 120 carries in 2024 and 113 carries in the last season.

How does Jadarian Price's injury history affect his NFL prospects?

Jadarian Price's injury history, including a torn Achilles and limited touches during his college career, raises questions about his ability to handle a larger workload in the NFL.