Jadarian Price Is A Seahawk Now, and Seattle's Backfield Just Got Interesting

The Seahawks drafted rookie running back Jadarian Price, and the question everyone's asking is simple: where does he actually fit in the backfield under Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Brian Fleury? It's a legitimate debate in Seattle right now, and the answer could shape how the offense operates all season long.

Price Landed in the Right Spot

Here's the thing about Jadarian Price's draft situation: he landed a better opportunity than Jeremiyah Love did. That matters. When a rookie back comes into an NFL offense, opportunity and scheme fit aren't everything, but they're close to it. The Seahawks clearly see something in Price that made him worth selecting, and early indications suggest the organization believes he can contribute right away.

With Sam Darnold at quarterback and weapons like Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp on the roster, the passing game is plenty stocked. That could actually work in Price's favor. If defenses have to account for that receiving talent, it opens running lanes. The question is whether Price has the vision, patience, and footwork to hit those lanes consistently as a rookie.

What We Don't Know Yet

The Seahawks have a clear plan for how they want to develop young players. We saw that with rookie guard Beau Stephens. But with Price, the specifics of his role are still taking shape. Will he be a three-down back? A red zone hammer? A pass-catching specialist out of the slot? In a modern NFL offense under Fleury, backs need to do multiple things, and Price will need to prove he can handle that workload.

The defense is already ranked No. 4 in Bleacher Report's post-draft ranking, which means the offensive burden could fall on Darnold and whoever carries the ball. That's both good and bad for a rookie. Good because you'll get carries. Bad because you'll be asked to execute in high-leverage situations.

Watch for Price to get early opportunities in non-conference games and see how he responds. If he can stay patient, catch the ball cleanly, and not freelance on blocking assignments, he could carve out real snaps. The Seahawks didn't draft him to be a backup. Now it's time to see if he was worth the selection.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.