- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,148,590
- Reaction score
- 59
Running back appears to be a deep position in the 2026 NFL draft. Jeremiyah Love of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is the consensus top back and is a probable top-10 choice. Love's Irish teammate, Jadarian Price, may be the second back off the board. Even with the free agent signing of Travis Etienne, the New Orleans Saints are likely to be eyeing this position hard in the draft.
ew Orleans ranked just 28th in rushing yards and was 31st in yards per carry last season. Part of that was because of injuries to Alvin Kamara and other backs, but the Saints clearly needed an upgrade. They got one in Etienne, but with Kamara turning 31 this offseason and possibly fading, the team could look to add another young talent to the backfield. Etienne's signing may take Love out of consideration with the eighth choice, but his teammate may be on their radar with a later selection.
An Achilles injury forced Price to redshirt his 2022 freshman season. He'd see little action in 2023, rushing for 272 yards but 3 scores. The last two seasons, he's been an outstanding complement to Love for the Fighting Irish. Price picked up 746 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns in 2024. He followed that up with 674 yards and 11 scores last season, ending his Notre Dame career with 1,692 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns, and a six-yard per carry average.
Jadarian Price flashed enough talent in college to potentially be the second back drafted after his teammate Love. Some projections even have him coming off the board before the end of the first round. While Price certainly won't be in play with the New Orleans pick at eight, he could be an option if he does slip into the second day.
Price showed little value as a receiver and needs to consistently improve his inside production. However, he has the agility to improve the former and enough power and vision for the latter. He can also be used as a kick returner, taking three back for touchdowns and averaging 36.1 yards on just 22 opportunities at Notre Dame. If Price is available in round 2 or especially round 3, the Saints could snatch him up to be a successor to Kamara and long-term 1-2 punch with Etienne out of the backfield.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Scouting Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price for Saints
Continue reading...
ew Orleans ranked just 28th in rushing yards and was 31st in yards per carry last season. Part of that was because of injuries to Alvin Kamara and other backs, but the Saints clearly needed an upgrade. They got one in Etienne, but with Kamara turning 31 this offseason and possibly fading, the team could look to add another young talent to the backfield. Etienne's signing may take Love out of consideration with the eighth choice, but his teammate may be on their radar with a later selection.
Jadarian Price bio
- Position: Running back
- College: Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Height: 5-feet, 11 inches
- Weight: 203 pounds
- 40-yard: 4.49 seconds
- 10-yard split: 1.61 seconds
- Vertical jump: 35"
- Broad jump: 10'4"
An Achilles injury forced Price to redshirt his 2022 freshman season. He'd see little action in 2023, rushing for 272 yards but 3 scores. The last two seasons, he's been an outstanding complement to Love for the Fighting Irish. Price picked up 746 rushing yards with 7 touchdowns in 2024. He followed that up with 674 yards and 11 scores last season, ending his Notre Dame career with 1,692 rushing yards, 24 touchdowns, and a six-yard per carry average.
Strengths
- Smooth runner who shifts gears seamlessly
- Nice vision and lane anticipation
- Easy cuts to make defenders miss at every level
- Sets up blocks patiently
- Has the agility and instincts to be effective both inside and outside
- Offers kick returner value
Weaknesses
- Has never been a featured back
- Ball security issues
- Wasn't a receiving threat
- Did not show top-end breakaway speed
- Hasn't consistently produced in short-yardage situations
2026 draft outlook
Jadarian Price flashed enough talent in college to potentially be the second back drafted after his teammate Love. Some projections even have him coming off the board before the end of the first round. While Price certainly won't be in play with the New Orleans pick at eight, he could be an option if he does slip into the second day.
Price showed little value as a receiver and needs to consistently improve his inside production. However, he has the agility to improve the former and enough power and vision for the latter. He can also be used as a kick returner, taking three back for touchdowns and averaging 36.1 yards on just 22 opportunities at Notre Dame. If Price is available in round 2 or especially round 3, the Saints could snatch him up to be a successor to Kamara and long-term 1-2 punch with Etienne out of the backfield.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Scouting Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price for Saints
Continue reading...
