Lots of mock drafts have had the Seattle Seahawks taking running back Jadarian Price at the end of the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Based on what general manager John Schneider said in his pre-draft press conference this week, though, Price to Seattle might be a non-starter.
That's because the GM seems quite high on free agent signee Emanuel Wilson. The running back signed a one-year deal worth as much as $1,595,000, an extremely low amount for a player who might play an important role in the team's offense next season.
When asked about the team's running back situation in the presser, Schneider said, "Signing (Emanuel) Wilson really helps us in this year’s draft as well…kind of gives us some freedom."
Seattle Seahawks signing Emanuel Wilson could change the team's draft strategy
What the GM means by "freedom" is anyone's guess. One can assume that Schneider doesn't feel the need to be pressed into taking a running back early, even though the team chose Kenneth Walker in the second round of the 2022 draft, and Zach Charbonnet in the same round in 2023.
The Charbonnet situation currently does complicate things, however. He would be the presumed starter in Week 1 in 2026 with Walker signing with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. Charbonnet, however, tore his ACL in the playoffs this past season and might not be ready at the start of next season.
If Charbonnet cannot play in Week 1 and a few other games at the start of the year, John Schneider sounds as if the team would be just fine with Emanuel Wilson starting. In his three-year career, Wilson has done that just twice, both times coming last season. In Week 11's start, Wilson ran for 107 yards on 28 carries and scored twice.
He isn't the explosive running back that Kenneth Walker is, though few players are. Instead, Wilson might try to grind out yards in hopes of keeping the chains moving and allowing the Seahawks offense to stay on the field. He wouldn't be alone, though.
The Seattle Seahawks still have George Holani and Kenny McIntosh, though both players consistently have health concerns. The team could also choose not to take Price with the first pick, even if Schneider trades back out of the first round into the first part of the second round. Instead, Schneider might try to focus on potentially adding someone like Mike Washington in round three.
Nothing is guaranteed, of course, and Washington might not be around past the second round. Schneider might choose to take an edge rusher or corner early, too. Either way, the team appears just fine with Emanuel Wilson playing quite a bit next season.
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