The Seattle Seahawks are banking all their hopes on rookie running back Jadarian Price. They let Kenneth Walker III leave in free agency, but they believe the Notre Dame product can be their true workhorse back for years to come.
On paper, there's no reason to believe that won't be the case. He's strong and elusive, and while he was in Jeremiyah Love's shadow for most of his collegiate career, the tape and early reports are encouraging enough.
That said, Price still has to answer one simple question: Can he be reliable in the passing game? He's not the sturdiest blocker, and, more importantly, he's been barely tested in that regard.
Jadarian Price has to step up in the passing game for the Seattle Seahawks
Price amassed a grand total of 15 receptions in his three years in college. That said, the lack of usage doesn't necessarily mean he's not reliable. He didn't drop a single pass, and he's the type of crafty and twitchy back who can use his vision to find gaps in all levels of the defense.
The Seahawks already have George Holani to handle pass-catching duties, but with Zach Charbonnet set to miss a stretch of the season -- potentially the first half -- and being in a contract year, proving that he can hold his own in the passing game will be paramount.
Barring a shocking turn of events -- or a huge hometown discount -- the Seahawks are more than likely to let Charbonnet leave in free agency. If Price can show some promise as a pass-catcher, he'd have virtually no competition for touches in Brian Fleury's offense.
While he may never be Christian McCaffrey or Bijan Robinson, he shows the same high-end speed, acceleration, and elusiveness. The route-runner isn't quite there -- and might never be -- but with his quick first step, he can be a Jahmyr Gibbs-type of dynamic back if he works on his hands.
Notably, he also has to work on his ball-security issues. He fumbled the ball four times in his final season in college, losing two. That might be the only asterisk on his otherwise impressive scouting report.
The Seahawks drew mixed reviews when they took him with the final pick in the first round. He was projected to be taken in the mid-to-late second round, and being an all-around, every-down type back will be the best way to silence the critics.
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