One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos in the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft is Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price. He is a 5-11, 203-pound running back who is considered one of the top backs in the 2026 NFL Draft. NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah has Price ranked as his second best running back and his 40th overall player in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Jadarian Price played a total of three seasons at Notre Dame and behind likely top 5 pick Jeremiyah Love. Despite this,
Price showcased his talents and proved he is a top running back prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Through three seasons, Price had 280 carries for 1,692 yards, a 6.0 YPC, and 15 career rushing touchdowns. He also added 15 receptions for 162 yards and 3 career receiving touchdowns and 41 career kick returns which included 3 career kick return touchdowns. This past year, he had 113 attempts for 674 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 6 receptions for 87 yards and 2 receiving touchdowns and an additional 2 kick return touchdowns.
This production while playing behind Love at Notre Dame is why he’s viewed as the RB2 and liklely a day 2 selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Player Profile
Jadarian Price | Running Back | Notre Dame
- Height: 5-11
- Weight: 203 pounds
- Arm Length: 30 7/8 inches
- Hands: 9 5/8 inches
- 40-Yard Dash: 4.49 seconds
- 10-Yard Split: 1.61 seconds
- Vertical Jump: 35 inches
- Broad Jump: 10-4
- Bench Press: 21 reps
Film Room
Scouting Report
Strengths
- A compact and a well-built runner who is physical between the tackles
- Runs through arm tackles, has elite contact balance,consistently keeps his legs moving, and falls forward
- Showcases elite vision and is smooth while navigating through the hole
- Is a patient runner who waits for his blocker to open up running lanes
- Accelerates quickly and reaches his top running speed quickly
- While he wasn’t used much as a pass-catcher, he has natural hands and shows good technique
- While he doesn’t have elite long speed, he’s a sneaky big play threat
- Can be a trusted pass blocker
- Has 3 career kickoff returns for a touchdown and 2 this past year
Weaknesses
- Has a minor fumbling problem inside the 10-yard line (3 fumbles inside the 10 in 2025)
- His lack of elite speed may limit his big play potential in the NFL
- Is a little bit tight in the hips in space
- Can sometimes dance behind the line instead of hitting the hole
- Due to being behind Jeremiyah Love, he hasn’t proven he can be a lead back yet but the skill set is there
- Suffered an Achilles tear in 2022
What other analysts are saying about Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
NFL Network’s lead draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah on Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
Price is a compact running back with terrific vision and balance. He split carries with Jeremiyah Love in Notre Dame’s offense. Price is a patient runner, letting blocks develop before bursting through the line of scrimmage. He runs low to the ground and has supreme contact balance. He is adept at stepping through low tackles and can make defenders miss in space. Price has reliable hands, but Love handled the bulk of the pass-catching duties out of the backfield. In pass protection, Price is quick to identify blitzers and closes the distance before launching into the defender. He has suffered fumble issues (three inside the opposition’s 10-yard line in 2025). He provides home run ability as a kickoff returner, taking two for touchdowns in 2025. Overall, Price is overshadowed by his former teammate (Love), but the Notre Dame product has NFL-starter traits.
NFL.com’s draft analyst Lance Zierlein on Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
Tempo-driven back with smooth hips, elite vision and a nose for the end zone. Price is a more natural runner than his heralded teammate, Jeremiyah Love, but Price lacks Love’s pure explosiveness and pass-catching talent. Price is highly instinctive, stacking moves to contour to run-lane spacing and avoid tacklers for as long as possible. He moves like a zone back but has average downhill burst for a one-cut runner. Price is an average run finisher, but he has the leg strength and contact balance to carry on when hits aren’t flush. His feel for finding the right path is rare and helps bolster his touchdown totals. Limited third-down value could cap his draft slotting, but his talent as a runner should make him an excellent complementary back.
Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price’s RAS
Does Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price make sense for the Denver Broncos?
I think so.
Running back isn’t a major need for the Broncos after re-signing veteran JK Dobbins to a two-year deal but his injury concerns still cloud the position a bit. Second-year running back RJ Harvey will look to improve on his 12 touchdown campaign last season, but the Broncos need insurance behind Dobbins.
Price would give them a physical between the tackles runner who could step in and split time with Dobbins if needed. If the plan is to keep Dobbins healthy for December and the playoffs, you should limit his carries throughout the year and mix in a second and third back to lower his potential injury risk. Someone like Price could be that guy while also being a potential replacement since Dobbins deal is basically a one-year contract with an option built in.
I believe Price could be a darkhorse for the Broncos at 30th overall. In all likelihood, he’s probably going to be a top 45 or 50 selection and be off the board by the time the Broncos are on the clock again in the second round. So, could they jump the gun a little and get their Dobbins insurance at 30th overall? I can see that scenario playing out.
Again, it is probably unlikely that happens after re-signing Dobbins, but I wouldn’t completely rule it out. If the pass on him in the first round, they probably will need to trade up for him in the second round. He’s viewed as the RB2/3 and most likely will be off the board by the time the Broncos pick, but I would not be upset if they moved up for him.
Price would raise the floor of the Broncos running back room, provide depth behind Dobbins, give them a back with third down/pass blocking potential, and a talented kick returner. He might not start right away, but he could fill multiple key roles in the Broncos offense early on.
I like Price and would not be upset if the Broncos selected him in the 2026 NFL Draft.
