When the Seattle Seahawks lost Kenneth Walker III to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and learned Zach Charbonnet would miss significant time, the team needed its rookie running back to step up in a big way. First-round pick Jadarian Price out of Notre Dame is now showing signs that he could be exactly what the offense needs—and then some.

According to CBS Sports' Carter Bahns, Price has been turning heads at rookie minicamp with a skill he rarely displayed in college: catching passes out of the backfield. "Jadarian Price caught a noticeable number of passes out of the backfield despite only having 15 catches in three years at Notre Dame," Bahns reported.

This is a major development for a player who totaled just six receptions for 87 yards and two touchdowns in his final college season, following up modest numbers of four catches for 10 yards in 2024 and five for 56 yards and one score in 2023. Price was never known as a dual-threat back during his time with the Fighting Irish.

But now, with the Seahawks looking to fill a significant void in their backfield, Price's emerging pass-catching ability could transform the offense. Alongside free-agent addition Emmanuel Wilson and George Holani, Price is expected to carry a heavy workload early in the season. If he can develop into a reliable receiving threat, that first-round investment will look like a steal rather than a reach.

It's worth noting that Price's rushing production was already impressive in its own right. He finished his final season at Notre Dame with 674 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 113 carries, showing explosive potential that made him a first-round target. Adding a pass-catching dimension to that skill set would make him a complete, three-down back—exactly what the Seahawks need to keep their offense dynamic and unpredictable.

For a team that just handed Jaxon Smith-Njigba a record-setting $168.6 million extension, having a versatile rookie running back emerge as a dual threat could be the missing piece that makes Seattle's offense truly dangerous. All signs from minicamp suggest Price is ready to deliver.