Chiefs, Seahawks, Vikings Showed Interest In RB Jonah Coleman
The Broncos ended up making Jonah Coleman this year’s fourth running back drafted. Not viewed as an RB class overflowing with talent, this year’s crop featured two first-rounders (both out of Notre Dame) and just one RB chosen on Day 2 (Indiana’s Kaelon Black, who went to the 49ers).
Denver chose the Washington product with the first of two fourth-round picks (No. 108), doing so after spending extensive time with him during the pre-draft process. The Broncos used a “30” visit on Coleman and, according to his college running backs coach (ex-NFL RB Scottie Graham), and frequently contacted the Huskies to discuss the back.
They were not the only team to show a decent amount of interest in the standout Big Ten rusher. Graham said (via the Denver Gazette’s Chris Tomasson) the Chiefs, Seahawks and Vikings showed a good amount of interest in Coleman before the draft. No trade-up ended up being necessary for Coleman, however, and the Broncos have acquired some near-future insurance on J.K. Dobbins and likely a longer-term RJ Harvey running mate.
“They called a number of times and asked a lot of questions,’’ Graham said of the Broncos, via Tomasson. “They’d sometimes call a couple of times in the same day and they wanted to know intimate things about his family. You’re not going to ask some of the questions they did unless you want him. They wanted me to tell them something that nobody knows about him. Then they’d call back again. I said, ‘Jonah, you’re probably going to Denver.‘”
Teams obviously do considerable research on numerous prospects, but Graham also worked with current Broncos defensive line coach Jamar Cain at Arizona State. Cain has known Coleman since he was 16, per Tomasson, serving as the Sun Devils’ recruiter in the area where the RB grew up (Stockton, Calif.).
Each of the rumored Coleman suitors left the draft with RB picks. The Seahawks addressed their need by taking Jadarian Price at No. 32 overall, doing so after a first-round trade-down move fell through. The Chiefs traded up for Nebraska’s Emmett Johnson in Round 5; the Vikings chose Wake Forest’s Demond Claiborne in Round 6.
The Broncos included Dobbins in their re-signing spree, giving him a two-year deal worth $16MM. Dobbins’ $8MM guarantee nearly quadrupled his 2025 salary, representing an interesting decision considering the productive RB’s injury history. Dobbins added to that medical sheet with a Lisfranc issue last season, costing him seven regular-season games and both Broncos playoff contests. The Broncos still placed a high priority on retaining Dobbins, though it appeared he was the team’s second choice (possibly third). Denver made what was believed to be a strong offer to Travis Etienne and was connected to Breece Hall before the Jets franchise-tagged him. Rather than a pricier back, the Broncos ended up with Dobbins and his likely successor.
Coleman transferred from Arizona to Washington in 2024 but was a regular in both teams’ backfields. After an 871-yard sophomore year with the Wildcats, Coleman totaled 1,053 rushing yards in 2024 and 758 in ’25. Last season brought a Big Ten-leading 17 touchdowns for the 5-foot-8, 220-pound back. He added 354 receiving yards in 2025.
Harvey, a 2025 second-rounder, should remain in the Alvin Kamara-like role in Sean Payton‘s offense. Dobbins will presumably enter 2026 in the Mark Ingram spot, as he was a top-five NFL rusher when he suffered his foot injury last year. While Coleman may well be Dobbins’ successor — no guarantees are on the veteran’s deal for 2027 — The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider notes a short-yardage role might be available to the rookie this season.
Although the Broncos re-signed both Tyler Badie and Jaleel McLaughlin, they are unlikely to retain both on their 53-man roster. The team also rosters fullback Nate Adkins, leaving one (or perhaps zero) spots for Badie or McLaughlin now that Coleman is on the team. The team needed McLaughlin — a fourth-year UDFA — more after Dobbins’ injury, but his path to playing time has since narrowed.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/29/26
Wednesday’s midweek minor moves:
Buffalo Bills
- Signed: FB Ben VanSumeren
Dallas Cowboys
- Signed franchise tender: WR George Pickens (story)
Detroit Lions
- Signed: LB Joe Bachie, DT Jay Tufele
Kansas City Chiefs
- Received international exemption: T Chukwuebuka Godrick
- Waived: RB ShunDerrick Powell
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: DT Leki Fotu
Los Angeles Chargers
- Received international exemption: TE Thomas Yassmin
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: DT Eric Johnson II
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: TE Harrison Bryant
The Seahawks are adding some depth in their tight ends room by bringing in the former Mackey Award winner out of FAU. Seattle relied heavily on a two-man crew featuring AJ Barner and Elijah Arroyo until a knee injury placed the second-round rookie, Arroyo, on injured reserve for most of the rest of the team’s Super Bowl run. When Arroyo went down, veteran Eric Saubert came in to supplement Barner with minimal contributions from undrafted Minnesota rookie Nick Kallerup.
In his rookie year, Bryant looked like he might displace David Njoku as TE2 behind Austin Hooper in Cleveland. He found himself third in the pecking order in Year 2, but returned to TE2 duties, this time behind Njoku, after Hooper was no longer on the team.
Minor NFL Transactions: 4/27/26
NFL teams have begun making roster adjustments following the conclusion of the 2026 draft. Here are the latest moves:
Atlanta Falcons
- Released: P Trenton Gill
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Received international exemption: OL Kilian Zierer
New England Patriots
- Waived: WR John Jiles, TE Marshall Lang
New Orleans Saints
- Waived: WR Samori Toure, WR, Elijah Cooks, RB Evan Hull
New York Giants
- Waived: DL DeMarvin Leal
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Re-signed: WR Brandon Johnson
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: RB Cam Akers
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: S Patrick McMorris, RB Sincere McCormick
Gill was a Bears seventh-round pick in 2022 who ranked among the league’s bottom 10 punters during his first two seasons in Chicago. He then served as one of the Buccaneers’ three punters in 2024 and did not sign with another team until joining Atlanta’s practice squad this past January. He then signed a reserve/futures contract with the Falcons. Former Patriots All-Pro Jake Bailey then arrived in March on a three-year, $9MM deal, solidifying the team’s punter situation in 2026 and resulting in Gill’s release.
Leal never lived up to his third-round draft billing in Pittsburgh, appearing in just 32 games with one sack and three tackles for loss across the last four seasons. He signed a reserve/futures contract with the Giants in January, but he was deemed surplus to requirements after defensive line additions in free agency and the draft.
Akers, 26, finished the 2025 season as a Super Bowl champion with the Seahawks. The departure of Kenneth Walker in free agency preserved the possibility of a 2026 role in Seattle, but the team quickly restocked their backfield by signing former Packer Emanuel Wilson and drafting Notre Dame’s Jadarian Price. Akers has played for four different teams across his six-year career and will now be looking for a new home.
2026 NFL Draft Results: Team By Team
Here is every team’s haul from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Arizona Cardinals
- Round 1, No. 3: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 34: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 65: Carson Beck (QB, Miami)
- Round 4, No. 104: Kaleb Proctor (DT, Southeastern Louisiana)
- Round 5, No. 143: Reggie Virgil (WR, Texas Tech) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 183: Karson Sharar (LB, Iowa) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 217: Jayden Williams (T, Ole Miss) (signed)
Atlanta Falcons
- Round 2, No. 48: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
- Round 3, No. 79: Zachariah Branch (WR, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 134 (from Raiders)*: Kendal Daniels (LB, Oklahoma) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 208 (from Bills via Jets and Raiders): Anterio Thompson (DT, Washington)
- Round 6, No. 215) (from Eagles)*: Harold Perkins (LB, LSU) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 231: Ethan Onianwa (T, Ohio State) (signed)
Baltimore Ravens
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern) (signed)
Buffalo Bills
- Round 2, No. 35 (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 62: Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 102 (from Raiders): Jude Bowry (T, Boston College)
- Round 4, No. 125 (from Bears via Chiefs and Patriots): Skylar Bell (WR, UConn)
- Round 4, No. 126: Kaleb Elarms-Orr (LB, TCU)
- Round 5, No. 167 (from Texans): Jalon Kilgore (S, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 181 (from Lions)*: Zane Durant (DT, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 220 (from Jets): Toriano Pride Jr. (CB, Missouri) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 239 (from Eagles via Jaguars, Browns and Bears): Tommy Doman (P, Florida) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 241 (from Bears): Ar’maj Reed-Adams (G, Texas A&M) (signed)
Carolina Panthers
- Round 1, No. 19: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 49 (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
- Round 3, No. 83: Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 129 (from Bears): Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 144 (from Titans via Panthers): Sam Hecht (C, Kansas State) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 151 (from Dolphins): Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 227 (from Dolphins): Jackson Kuwatch (LB, Miami (OH)) (signed)
Chicago Bears
- Round 1, No. 25: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
- Round 2, No. 57: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
- Round 3, No. 69 (from Giants via Texans, Bills and Titans): Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
- Round 3, No. 89: Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 124 (from Jaguars via Panthers): Malik Muhammad (CB, Texas) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 166 (from 49ers via Eagles and Panthers): Keyshaun Elliott (LB, Arizona State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 213 (from Seahawks via Jaguars, Lions and Bills): Jordan Van Den Berg (DT, Georgia Tech) (signed)
Cincinnati Bengals
- Round 2, No. 41: Cashius Howell (DE, Texas A&M)
- Round 3, No. 72: Tacario Davis (CB, Washington)
- Round 4, No. 128 (from Texans via Lions and Bengals): Connor Lew (C, Auburn) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 140 (from Bengals): Colbie Young (WR, Georgia) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 189: Brian Parker II (C, Duke) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 221 (from Giants via Cowboys): Jack Endries (TE, Texas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 226: Landon Robinson (DT, Navy) (signed)
Cleveland Browns
- Round 1, No. 9 (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 24 (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
- Round 2, No. 39: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
- Round 3, No. 86 (from Chargers): Austin Barber (T, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 146: Parker Brailsford (C, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 149 (from Bengals): Justin Jefferson (LB, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 170 (from Broncos): Joe Royer (TE, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 182 (from Jets via Browns, Jaguars, Raiders, Bills and Broncos): Taylen Green (QB, Arkansas) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 248 (from Seahawks): Carsen Ryan (TE, BYU) (signed)
Dallas Cowboys
- Round 1, No. 11 (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs (S, Ohio State) (signed)
- Round 1, No. 23 (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
- Round 3, No. 92 (from 49ers): Jaishawn Barham (EDGE, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 112: Drew Shelton (T, Penn State) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 114 (from Falcons via Eagles): Devin Moore (CB, Florida) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 137 (from Eagles)*: LT Overton (EDGE, Alabama) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 218 (from Titans): Anthony Smith (WR, East Carolina) (signed)
Packers Acquire 216th Pick, Draft K Trey Smack
The Packers have acquired the 216th selection from the Seahawks, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. The Seahawks received Nos. 236 and 255 in return, per Brady Henderson of ESPN.
Green Bay moved up late on Day 3 to select Florida kicker Trey Smack. With the draft nearing an end, Smack became the first kicker off the board and the second Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has drafted. Gutekunst previously spent a sixth-rounder on Anders Carlson in 2023, but he only lasted one season with the team.
Smack, who handled field goals in three of four years at Florida, was among the most dependable kickers in college football. A two-time semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award (given to the nation’s best kicker), Smack made 53 of 64 field goals (82.8%) and converted 10 of 13 from 50-plus yards. He also missed just one of 101 extra points with the Gators.
The Packers’ addition of Smack comes just over 13 months after they re-signed kicker Brandon McManus to a three-year, $15.3MM deal in March 2025. McManus went on to miss three games with a quad injury. Lucas Havrisik filled in while he was out. When healthy, McManus hit 24 of 30 FGs (80%) and 32 of 33 PATs. The Packers made it to the playoffs, but McManus’ three misses against the Bears proved costly in a 31-27 wild-card round loss. Along with failing to convert either field goal attempt, he missed one of his four extra points.
With Smack now in the fold, McManus’ job is in obvious jeopardy. Head coach Matt LaFleur said Saturday that the two will compete for the role (via Ryan Wood of USA Today).
2026 NFL Draft Results By Round
From the No. 1 overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant (No. 257), here are the results from the 2026 NFL Draft:
Round 1
1) Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza (QB, Indiana)
2) New York Jets: David Bailey (EDGE, Texas Tech)
3) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love (RB, Notre Dame)
4) Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate (WR, Ohio State)
5) New York Giants: Arvell Reese (LB/EDGE, Ohio State)
6) Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns): Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
7) Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
8) New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson (WR, Arizona State)
9) Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs): Spencer Fano (T, Utah)
10) New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa (T, Miami)
11) Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, (S, Ohio State)
12) Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor (T, Alabama)
13) Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons): Ty Simpson (QB, Alabama)
14) Baltimore Ravens: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
15) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rueben Bain Jr. (EDGE, Miami)
16) New York Jets (from Colts): Kenyon Sadiq (TE, Oregon)
17) Detroit Lions: Blake Miller (T, Clemson)
18) Minnesota Vikings: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
19) Carolina Panthers: Monroe Freeling (T, Georgia)
20) Philadelphia Eagles (from Packers via Cowboys): Makai Lemon (WR, USC)
21) Pittsburgh Steelers: Max Iheanachor (T, Arizona State)
22) Los Angeles Chargers: Akheem Mesidor (EDGE, Miami)
23) Dallas Cowboys (from Eagles): Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, Central Florida)
24) Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars): KC Concepcion (WR, Texas A&M)
25) Chicago Bears: Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
26) Houston Texans (from Bills): Keylan Rutledge (G, Georgia Tech)
27) Miami Dolphins (from 49ers): Chris Johnson (CB, San Diego State)
28) New England Patriots (from Texans via Bills): Caleb Lomu (T, Utah)
29) Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams): Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
30) New York Jets (from Broncos via Dolphins and 49ers): Omar Cooper Jr. (WR, Indiana)
31) Tennessee Titans (from Patriots via Bills): Keldric Faulk (DE, Auburn)
32) Seattle Seahawks: Jadarian Price (RB, Notre Dame)
Round 2
33) San Francisco 49ers (from Jets): De’Zhaun Stribling (WR, Ole Miss)
34) Arizona Cardinals: Chase Bisontis (G, Texas A&M)
35) Buffalo Bills (from Titans): T.J. Parker (EDGE, Clemson)
36) Houston Texans (from Raiders): Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
37) New York Giants: Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
38) Las Vegas Raiders (from Commanders via Texans): Treydan Stukes (S, Arizona)
39) Cleveland Browns: Denzel Boston (WR, Washington)
40) Kansas City Chiefs: R Mason Thomas (EDGE, Oklahoma)
41) Cincinnati Bengals: Cashius Howell (EDGE, Texas A&M)
42) New Orleans Saints: Christen Miller (DT, Georgia)
43) Miami Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez (LB, Texas Tech)
44) Detroit Lions (from Cowboys via Jets): Derrick Moore (EDGE, Michigan)
45) Baltimore Ravens: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
46) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter (LB, Missouri)
47) Pittsburgh Steelers (from Colts): Germie Bernard (WR, Alabama)
48) Atlanta Falcons: Avieon Terrell (CB, Clemson)
49) Carolina Panthers (from Vikings): Lee Hunter (DT, Texas Tech)
50) New York Jets (from Lions): D’Angelo Ponds (CB, Indiana)
51) Minnesota Vikings (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati)
52) Green Bay Packers: Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
53) Indianapolis Colts (from Steelers): C.J. Allen (LB, Georgia)
54) Philadelphia Eagles: Eli Stowers (TE, Vanderbilt)
55) New England Patriots (from Chargers): Gabe Jacas (EDGE, Illinois)
56) Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Boerkircher (TE, Texas A&M)
57) Chicago Bears: Logan Jones (C, Iowa)
58) Cleveland Browns (from 49ers): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
59) Houston Texans: Marlin Klein (TE, Michigan)
60) Tennessee Titans (from Bills via Bears): Anthony Hill Jr. (LB, Texas)
61) Los Angeles Rams: Max Klare (TE, Ohio State)
62) Buffalo Bills (from Broncos): Davison Igbinosun (CB, Ohio State)
63) Los Angeles Chargers (from Patriots): Jake Slaughter, C (Florida)
64) Seattle Seahawks: Bud Clark (S, TCU)
Jets Acquire No. 188 From Seahawks
The Jets are moving up for some Day 3 offensive line help. The Seahawks are trading No. 188, a move that will lead Miami offensive guard Anez Cooper to New York. In exchange, Gang Green will send Seattle pick Nos. 199 and 242. The defending champions had expressed a desire to add more picks, and while the team did not do so early, it has made multiple moves today.
At nearly 6-foot-6, 342 pounds, Cooper is a massive presence on the interior offensive line. Originally an unpolished, overweight three-star recruit out of Alabama, Cooper surprised as a true freshman in Coral Gables. As the Hurricanes struggled to find consistent play on their offensive line in the 2022 season, they inserted Cooper as their starting right guard in Week 9 of the season, and he never relinquished his starting role.
Cooper improved with each year of experience always excelling in pass pro but developing some grit as a run blocker over time, as well. He uses his elite size and physicality to cover up a lack of flexibility and quickness, and he plays with a mean streak staying as vocal on the field to opponents as he is with his teammates in the locker room. The Jets may want to continue monitoring Cooper’s weight and perhaps continue the work of perfecting the proportions of good weight on his frame, but Cooper has done good work to get where he is and can certainly play with his current makeup.
Seeing Alijah Vera-Tucker and John Simpson depart in free agency, the Jets signed former Raiders guard Dylan Parham to a two-year deal in free agency to likely start across from Joe Tippmann. Tippmann and backup guard Xavier Newman-Johnson will play on contract years this season, so if Cooper shows the encouraging signs of a potential future starter, this trade up in the sixth round will feel like a steal.
Seahawks Acquire 148th Pick, Draft G Beau Stephens
The Seahawks have acquired the 148th overall pick from the Browns for a 2027 fourth-rounder, Tony Grossi of 850 ESPN Cleveland reports. Iowa guard Beau Stephens is going to Seattle.
Stephens spent five years at Iowa, which has a reputation as an offensive line factory. Two of Stephens’ former O-line mates, Logan Jones (No. 57, Bears) and Gennings Dunker (No. 96, Steelers), came off the board earlier. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound Stephens played in 41 games with the Hawkeyes and served as a three-year starter. Stephens worked as a right guard in 2022, but he primarily lined up on the left side. He capped off a 620-snap, 13-game 2025 with first-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten honors.
Stephens, who did not allow a sack or take a penalty last year, ranked as Pro Football Focus’ fourth-best guard in 2025. Both Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com and Dane Brugler of The Athletic rated him as the 137th prospect in this draft class. There are concerns over Stephens’ lack of length and athleticism, per Brugler, though he adds “coachability and mental maturation” could help make up for it.
Stephens may begin his career as a reserve with the reigning Super Bowl champions, who have 2025 first-rounder Grey Zabel at left guard and Anthony Bradford on the right side. While Zabel is locked in, Stephens could compete with Bradford for a starting job. Even if Bradford remains atop the depth chart, he only has one year left on his contract. Unless the Seahawks extend Bradford before free agency opens next March, Stephens could emerge as a starter by 2027.
Steelers Trade Up Three Spots, Draft G Gennings Dunker
The Steelers are moving up three slots in the 2026 NFL Draft, sending the 99th and 216th picks to the Seahawks, to select Iowa offensive guard Gennings Dunker at No. 96 overall. A three-year starter at right tackle for the Hawkeyes, it seems Pittsburgh has interest in Dunker on the interior offensive line.
At a school like Iowa that produces offensive linemen left and right, holding a starting job for three years is nothing to scoff at. After redshirting the 2021 season, Dunker debuted as a redshirt freshman coming off the bench for a few games at left and right guard before earning his first career start in the Hawkeyes’ bowl game. In 2023, Dunker was named the team’s starting right tackle, and he didn’t relinquish the role until he ran out of eligibility.
Most of the knocks on Dunker as a pro prospect focused on his abilities as an offensive tackle, but some of his best traits set him up well for a future as an NFL guard. Impressive upper-body strength will work well in a phone booth on the interior, and his strengths as a people mover in the run game will be well-suited on the inside, as well. Injuries hounded him at times throughout his time in Iowa City, but ever the tough customer, he only missed two games (not counting his redshirt season).
The Steelers are confidently returning three starters on their offensive line from last year. Left tackle Broderick Jones has not inspired confidence in his abilities or durability over three years of play, and Pittsburgh selected Max Iheanachor on Day 1 of the draft to address that potential concern. The team also saw left guard Isaac Seumalo depart for Arizona in free agency, so Dunker will have a clear opportunity to compete for the open starting job there in Year 1.
Seahawks Drafted RB Jadarian Price After Trade Talks Fell Through
Seattle ended off Thursday’s opening round by selecting running back Jadarian Price. Leading up to that point, the team had naturally been identified as a strong candidate to move down the board.
The Seahawks entered the draft with only four total picks. As general manager John Schneider acknowledged after the opening night of the event ended, a trade aimed at acquiring more capital remained a goal in the build-up to pick No. 32. Five of the six selections made immediately before Seattle’s changed hands, however, making it difficult for a trade partner to be found at that point.
“Great player, great person,” Schneider said of Price (via the team’s website). “We thought we had some [trade] opportunities for a minute, they fell apart. A lot of trading going on right ahead of us, but I mean, he kind of stood alone… It’s really cool. We were kind of concerned people were going to go ahead of us because we felt like he was so out there in terms of mock drafts and what have you.”
In the end, Schneider and Co. managed to land Price and by doing so add a prospect they were frequently linked to. Jeremiyah Love was, as anticipated, the top running back to hear his name called on Thursday. He was taken third overall, but it was widely expected Price – his Notre Dame teammate – would be the second running back selected. Adding in the backfield represented a goal for the Seahawks after Kenneth Walker departed in free agency, and Price should handle a notable workload right away.
That is especially true since Zach Charbonnet is recovering from an ACL tear. One year remains on his rookie contract, leaving a 2027 departure as a possibility. That would pave the way for Price to take on an RB1 workload early in his career. Regardless, his level of play as a rookie will be key in determining the Seahawks’ chances of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
Seattle currently has picks 64, 96 and 188. Adding to that list could be a target for Schneider, and with trades always a constant on Days 2 and 3 of the draft, he will no doubt have plenty of opportunities to move around the board.