As Aaron Jones, 31, enters the final stage of his football career and Jordan Mason heads into the final year of his contract, the Minnesota Vikings may begin looking toward the future at the running back position. With the NFL Draft now approaching, the team is projected to select a 27-TD RB out of Notre Dame to strengthen its backfield moving forward.
Why the Vikings Are Projected to Target Notre Dame RB Jadarian Price
On Wednesday, April 1, PFSN’s Jacob Infante published a 3-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft, outlining each of the first 100 selections this spring. Notably, at No. 49, he predicted the Vikings to select the second running back off the board and the second back out of Notre Dame in Jadarian Price.
The analyst wrote: “There were probably four or five college football programs where Jadarian Price would not have been a starting running back. Notre Dame just happened to be one of those schools. He’s a tough downhill runner with impressive patience and vision between the tackles, hitting open running lanes.”
During his time with the Fighting Irish, Price operated as the team’s RB2 behind Jeremiyah Love, a Heisman Trophy finalist and unanimous All-American. Still, across three collegiate seasons, Price remained highly productive and efficient.
In 2025, Price handled 113 carries for 674 rushing yards (6.0 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. Through the air, he recorded 6 receptions for 87 receiving yards and an additional 2 scores. Price posted a 77.7 RB Impact Score, earning a C+ grade, per PFSN’s metrics.
According to PFSN’s NFL Draft HQ, Price has an 82.06 prospect grade, ranking 4th among all runners and 75th overall. The site also highlights his explosiveness and long speed, paired with his physicality and balance.
PFSN noted, “Price has a great blend of vision, spatial instincts, foot speed, smooth fluidity, and cutting range, and he goes 0-to-100 in a blink when he has a runway to attack.”
This past season, the Vikings seriously lacked a true big-play threat out of the backfield. Jones, at his current age, profiles more as a receiving back, whereas Mason is a bruiser better suited for short-yardage situations.
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Not all the blame for last season falls on the running game, but there is clear room for improvement. Kyler Murray, the Vikings’ latest quarterback acquisition, paired with Price, would form one of the most electric running duos in the NFL.
Between Murray and Price, along with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and one of the league’s most dominant defensive units, the Minnesota Vikings would most certainly return to playoff contention in 2026.
