The NFL Draft is a game of signals within signals--a week-long chess match where teams feign interest, analysts chase sources, and fans cling to any whisper that might reveal the front office's true intentions. But every so often, a voice cuts through the noise with a track record that demands attention.
That voice belongs to Brock Huard.
The former NFL quarterback and current Seattle-based analyst went on Seattle Sports this week and made a specific, high-confidence call: Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price is his top draft fit for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2026 NFL Draft. And before you shrug off yet another mock draft prediction, consider this--Huard nailed his pick last year with Grey Zabel, the versatile offensive lineman who became a Seahawk and immediately contributed. He's not throwing darts. He's studied the board, matched skill sets to scheme, and he's betting on a running back who brings an element Seattle's offense has quietly lacked.
Why Jadarian Price Fits Like a Glove
At first glance, the fit seems almost too clean. Price is a compact, explosive back listed at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds, with the kind of one-cut burst that offensive coordinators dream about. He's not a bell cow in the Derrick Henry mold--Seattle already has strong early-down runners like Cam Akers and Zach Charbonnet. What Price offers is a complement, not a redundancy.
Price averaged 6.1 yards per carry over his Notre Dame career, and he showed legitimate home-run ability on inside zone and outside stretch concepts--the bread and butter of Seattle's run scheme under this coaching staff. He's not just fast; he's sudden. When the hole opens, Price gets through it in a blink. When the hole doesn't open, he has the patience to let his blocks develop and the burst to accelerate through the second level.
But here's where it gets really interesting: Price is also a legitimate receiving threat out of the backfield. Notre Dame flexed him out wide, used him on wheel routes, and trusted him in pass protection--a skill that typically determines whether a rookie back actually sees the field in Seattle's system. In today's NFL, a running back who can't block is a liability on third down. Price can block, and he can do more than that.
For a Seahawks offense that has leaned heavily on Akers and Charbonnet, adding a dynamic third-down back who can also take the top off the defense on screens and misdirection plays would be a massive upgrade. Price has that skill set. He's a joker, and the Seahawks have been looking for one.
The Huard Factor: Why This Prediction Carries Weight
It's easy to dismiss draft predictions in late April. Every analyst in the country has a mock draft. Every radio host has a "guy." But Huard's track record makes this specific prediction worth examining.
Last year, Huard went on the air and said the Seahawks' top draft fit was North Dakota State offensive lineman Grey Zabel. At the time, Zabel wasn't the mainstream conversation in Seattle--most mocks had the team targeting defensive backs or pass rushers. But Huard saw the fit: Zabel's positional versatility, his nasty demeanor in the run game, and his ability to play guard or tackle in a pinch. When the Seahawks drafted Zabel, the move felt like a surprise to many. In hindsight, it was obvious. Huard had identified the scheme match weeks earlier.
That kind of precedent matters. It doesn't mean Price is a lock--drafts are fluid, and Seattle could trade up or down, or another team could snag Price before pick No. 32. What it means is that Huard has done the homework, and his evaluation of scheme-to-player fit should be taken seriously.
What Price Would Bring to the Locker Room
Beyond the on-field traits, Price brings a competitive edge that fits Seattle's organizational identity. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has repeatedly praised Price's work ethic and toughness--traits that general manager John Schneider has historically prioritized, especially in the middle rounds where value meets production.
Price isn't a first-round lock. Most projections have him going somewhere in the second or third round, which aligns perfectly with Seattle's draft capital. The Seahawks currently hold pick No. 32 in the first round, and while Price might be a slight reach there, he'd be excellent value in the second round or if Seattle trades back. Schneider has a history of moving around the board to target specific players--he's not afraid to trust his board and go get his guy.
If Price lands in Seattle, he'd join a running back room with Akers and Charbonnet, but rookie contracts mean depth is always a priority, and Price's receiving ability gives him a clear path to playing time immediately. He could be the third-down back from Week 1, a role that would allow Seattle to keep their early-down backs fresh for the heavy lifting while also giving the quarterback a dynamic safety valve underneath.
The Bigger Picture: What This Tells Us About Seattle's Draft Philosophy
Huard's pick also reveals something about how this front office might be thinking. If the team's most plugged-in analyst is zeroing in on a running back, it suggests the Seahawks are serious about upgrading the skill positions around their quarterback--not just in the trenches where everyone expects them to draft.
Seattle has needs along the offensive line, in the secondary, and at linebacker. Those are all real, and they'll almost certainly be addressed. But the NFL Draft is about value, and if a dynamic playmaker like Price is available when Seattle's turn comes, the front office might see him as too good to pass up--especially in a class where running back depth is strong but top-end explosiveness is at a premium.
There's also the factor of scheme evolution. New offensive coordinator Brian Fleury has shown he wants more quick-game, spread concepts that put defenders in conflict. A back like Price, who can split out wide, run option routes, and threaten the perimeter, is exactly the kind of weapon that makes a modern offense hum. He's not a gadget player--he's a real runner who happens to be dangerous in space.
The Bottom Line
Nobody has a crystal ball when it comes to the NFL Draft, and Brock Huard would be the first to admit that. But his track record, his familiarity with the Seahawks' roster and scheme, and his willingness to make a specific, early call on Jadarian Price make this prediction stand out from the hundreds of mocks floating around draft week.
Price is a legitimate NFL talent with a skill set that fits Seattle's offense like a tailored suit. If the Seahawks end up with him, fans should be excited. If they don't, it might be because someone else grabbed him first--or because the front office had an even bigger plan in store.
Either way, Huard has put his reputation behind this pick. And after last year, that's a reputation worth watching.
The draft is just days away. Buckle up, Seahawks fans. This one might get interesting--and fast.