Seattle Seahawks fans who expected or hoped rookie running back Jadarian Price to fill Kenneth Walker's shoes may want to reset their expectations. Lofty draft capital aside, the club's actions have signaled that there won't be a one-for-one replacement for the departed Super Bowl LX MVP.
There has understandably been plenty of buzz surrounding Price. The Seahawks did select him with the 32nd pick back in April, after all. He also steps into a positive environment with 250-plus vacated touches to round out a near-perfect situation for his immediate emergence, or so we thought.
It's not about what Price has (or hasn't) shown thus far; quite the opposite, actually. The fact that he's reportedly rotating with a cast of fine, albeit uninspiring, veterans — by design — is what has our attention.
Jadarian Price may not be the RB savior Seattle Seahawks fans expect (for now)
ESPN's Brady Henderson highlighted how Price wasn't just brought in to moonwalk into Walker's spot. George Holani, functioning as the first tailback up in drills throughout Seattle's offseason workout program, has been a brutal reality check.
"The Seahawks worked Price in with their No. 1 offense behind George Holani, and that was not a surprise," Henderson wrote. "They did not draft Price with the thought that he'd become a high-volume starter right away. He will share time with Holani and Emanuel Wilson as Seattle waits for Zach Charbonnet to return."
Nothing will be given to Price, who's drawn comparisons to Seahawks legend Shaun Alexander, accurate or not. The Notre Dame product faces competition from Holani and free-agent acquisition Emanuel Wilson in the short term, plus presumed starter Zach Charbonnet when he's healthy.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it, as the saying goes. The Seahawks took a committee approach last season with Walker in the mix and Charbonnet pre-ACL tear, which evidently paid dividends. Price isn't an exception, and his one-dimensional usage makes it fair to wonder if he's even ready to handle a bell-cow role.
Price never saw more than 120 carries in any of his three collegiate campaigns with the Fighting Irish. An overlapping stint with this year's third overall selection, Jeremiyah Love, shouldn't be overlooked, yet that shouldn't completely excuse the lack of volume.
If early signs from Seattle are any indication, Price's limitations in protection and as a receiver out of the backfield are deterrents. He recorded 15 receptions during and struggled as a pass-blocker during his time in school. A two-down skill set doesn't lend itself well to earning significant playing time from the outset.
For what it's worth, Price has proven capable of doing more with less. 165 RBs in Division I FBS recorded at least 100 totes in 2025, including him, and he fared well in the following categories, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required):
- Tied for 25th in yards after contact per attempt (3.92)
- Tied for 27th in yards per attempt (6.0)
- Tied for 27th in rushing touchdowns (11)
- 31st in breakaway percentage (45.0)
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