Jadarian Price might actually be the best Notre Dame fit for the Chiefs

There’s always lots of conversation to be had around positional value and the value of running backs. Lately, the NFL has become a more run-centric game where former first-round picks like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Saquon Barkley have become the centerpieces of some of the best offenses in the NFL. While it certainly is nice to have a true all-star back, the league’s leading rusher this year was James Cook, who was drafted in the second round. Right behind him are two other second-round picks in Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry.

The Chiefs have a very obvious problem at running back, but they don’t have to overcorrect by acting like they’re going to become a run-centric team. As long as Patrick Mahomes is the quarterback and Andy Reid is the head coach, the passing game is always going to be the bread and butter of the offense. The Chiefs don’t have to spend a first-round pick at running back to improve the position.

Last year, we saw teammates from Ohio State (TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins) both go early in the draft and make big impacts on their teams as rookies. Are Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price the next tandem to do the same?

To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board tailored towards the Chiefs needs and thresholds.

NFL Draft Profile: Jadarian Price, Running Back, Notre Dame

Age: 22 (on draft day)

Height: 5-11 (listed)

Weight: 209 LBS. (listed)

Tape Exposure: NC State (2025), LSU (2025), and Texas A&M (2025)

Shades of: Tony Pollard

Jadarian Price's background

A Texas native, Price was a four-star recruit and a top-20 RB nationally in the 2022 class via 247Sports. Price was also a track athlete in high school, competing in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays and the long jump. Price committed to Notre Dame out of high school.

As a true freshman, he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon and did not play at all in 2022. In 2024, he broke out with 746 rushing yards and seven TDs (6.2 YPC). In 2025, Price rushed for 674 yards and 11 TDs on 113 carries, added receiving scores, and dominated as a kick returner (multiple 100+ yard return TDs). He declared for the NFL Draft on December 17, 2025.

What makes Jadarian Price a top back in the draft class

Burst

Price displays track-level speed in the open field, but he’s more than just straight-line speed. He’s got terrific acceleration and seems to accelerate at the perfect time after hitting the hole. His burst makes him a home-run threat and also a great kick returner. That value will only increase with the NFL’s current kickoff rules.

Shiftiness

Price cuts in and out of lanes so well. He has fast feet and stutter steps that help him juke defenders easily. This helped him rank in the 95th percentile in yards after contact in 2025. He is a classic one-cut runner who finds a lane and hits the accelerator right away.

Vision

You can see him waiting for his blocks and setting his pace to match those rush lanes. He has a great sense of his athleticism relative to those around him, so he knows when he can bounce a run to the outside and reads blockers down the field well. He seems to almost always make the first man miss.

Can Jadarian Price be a true RB1 for the Chiefs?

Limited Pass Production

Despite some low PFF scores, Price is a willing pass blocker that seems to display technique in pass protection. On the other hand, with just 15 career college receptions, you can’t plan on him being a passing-down option in the NFL right away. It’s easy to see why, given how talented a receiver Love is, but Price was very limited in the passing game.

Work Load

With just 280 college carries, there are some questions about whether Price is meant to be a lead back. He’s had the advantage of being the change-of-pace back behind Love. Can he be the primary back? Can he handle the workload of 15+ touches a game? We’ve not seen him do that yet.

Frame

The Tony Pollard comparison is relevant here because they are a similar build, and Pollard looked best when he was behind a lead back. With already one major lower-body injury, a more slight frame, and a limited workload in college, there are some questions about whether his body can hold up—not just in carries, but also in pass protection.

Is Jadarian Price a logical fit for the Chiefs?

With Jeremiyah Love destined to be a first-round pick, Price easily could’ve stayed in school, taken a nice NIL deal, and been the lead back for the Irish. Instead, he declared even though he was a change-of-pace back, which means he’s gotten really strong feedback from the league. Right now, he could be an impact early-down back that grows into a passing-down role. You can’t just count on Price to be the bell cow of a contending offense, but he certainly makes the offense far more explosive.

Jadarian Price is a shifty and bursty back that’s challenging to bring down in the open field. He has above-average long speed and is an impact punt returner as well. His limited workload in college can be viewed as a positive or a negative. With limited pass production, he profiles as an early-down back with RB1 upside.

Round Grade: Purple Chip (2nd round pick)