Jadarian Price at 32 Overall: Why Schneider's Risky Pick Should Make You a Believer

John Schneider just took a deep breath and made a controversial call. The Seahawks general manager drafted Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick on Thursday, and yeah, there are some legit questions swirling around it. But here's the thing: Schneider has earned the benefit of the doubt, and if you've been paying attention to what he's built in Seattle, you already know why.

The Pick Nobody Expected

Let's be real about this: drafting a running back in the opening round is inherently risky. Price split carries at Notre Dame with No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love, which means he wasn't even the clear-cut top guy on his own roster. He had just 15 career catches in three seasons and fumbled three times in 2025. Plus, cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Avieon Terrell and edges Zion Young and Cashius Howell were still available at positions of clear need.

Schneider himself admitted the plan was different. "I thought we were going back for sure," he said Monday. But the draft market shifted fast. Five of the six picks before Seattle were traded away, which meant his window to move back and add more draft capital basically evaporated. The Seahawks are now left with just three more picks: No. 64, No. 96, and No. 188. Limited ammo in a class that only gave them four selections to begin with.

But Schneider Has Built Something Real

Here's why you can trust this move: Look at what he's already assembled in the Emerald City. After saying goodbye to some key veterans this offseason, the Seahawks roster is still positioned to compete for years. Sam Darnold is your franchise quarterback now, a younger and cheaper upgrade at the position. Your wide receiver room features Jaxon Smith-Njigba (the reigning Offensive Player of the Year), Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp, all working in tandem. The offensive line returns intact. The defense is loaded with Murphy, Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, Derick Hall, and Jarran Reed up front. Ernest Jones IV leads a linebacker group that knows what it's doing. Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori anchor a secondary that is genuinely elite.

Schneider is the only general manager in the NFL to win two Super Bowls with completely separate rosters and coaches while staying in the same organization. He builds championship teams through the draft. He called Price a "great player" and "the person is outstanding," and he said it with conviction. Mike Macdonald is the captain steering this ship. But Schneider built it.

Sometimes you have to trust the architect.

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