2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jadarian Price

It’s not often a single college football team has multiple top NFL talents in the same room, especially not at running back. While the number-one back in the class will likely go very early, Jadarian Price may be the second running back off the board. As the second fiddle to Jeremiyah Love, Price didn’t have as many opportunities to really show what he could do. Regardless, he has serious hype heading into the 2026 NFL Draft.

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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Jadarian Price

Measurables

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 203 pounds
Arms: 30.88″
Hands: 9.62″
40-yard: 4.49
Vertical: 35″
Broad jump: 10’4″
RAS: 8.58
Position: Running Back
School: Notre Dame

Jadarian Price NFL Draft Overview

Coming out of high school, Price was the 17th-best running back in the 2022 recruiting cycle. He was considered a four-star recruit and committed to Notre Dame over a host of Power 4 programs. His initial scouting report had him as a Day 3 pick. Barring the unforeseen, he’s outplayed that projection.

Price missed his entire true freshman season due to injury in 2022. As a redshirt freshman in 2023, he appeared in all 13 games. In total, he amassed 272 yards and three touchdowns on 47 rushing attempts. Then, in his redshirt sophomore season in 2024, he appeared in all 16 games as Notre Dame finished as the CFP runners-up after falling to Ohio State. That year, he added 746 yards and seven touchdowns on 120 carries.

Last season, again, despite playing behind Love, Price was impressively productive. In 12 games, he totalled 674 yards and 11 touchdowns on 113 carries. As a receiver in his career, Price added 162 yards and three touchdowns (two in 2025) on 15 receptions.

Last year, he was honored as a first-team All-American (The Sporting News), second-team All-American (FWAA, Walter Camp), and third-team All-American (AP).

Strengths

• Plenty of tread left on the tires
• Incredibly smooth, no wasted movements
• Elite acceleration, gets up to speed quickly
• Could be a great returner as well
• Better-than-utilized receiver out of the backfield
• Does not go down easily
• Elite vision, can see holes forming before they do

Weaknesses

• Was never RB1
• Light for his position
• Will need to refine pass-protection
• That 2022 injury was an Achilles tear
• Could get caught dancing in the backfield trying to hit the home run
• Three goal-line fumbles (two lost)

Projection: Second Round (RB2)
Best Fits: Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Cincinnati Bengals

Bottom Line on Jadarian Price

How often could a player who was behind a generational prospect go on to be a real difference-maker in the NFL? Price has the opportunity to do just that with a successful career.

Due to the fact that he hasn’t been the go-to star back, there will be plenty of projection with Price. While Love is the RB1 the teams will consider in the first round, Price looks like more of a high-upside project. Of course, that project will be all about whether or not he can hold up to the wear and tear of the NFL in his undersized frame.

Overall, Price could be a dynamic change-of-pace back. He has great vision and very solid speed, but his pass-blocking will need some refinement.

He could be a good return man as he continues to develop as a running back. However, his natural athleticism, smooth running, and ability to see holes will be a fun prospect to follow. He may not be the go-to back right off the back, but he could be a quality RB2 who could develop into that feature back.