Emanuel Wilson

Seattle used the 32nd overall pick on Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), immediately installing him as the lead back. Wilson's projected starter role evaporated overnight; he is now a complementary power runner behind a first-round investment piece.

Wilson operates as a change-of-pace backup behind Josh Jacobs, who remains the clear starter and primary ball carrier. Jacobs was healthy for most of the 2025 season and will retain the lead role, limiting Wilson's consistent volume.

At 26 years old, Wilson is entering the typical RB value cliff territory. Third-year backs rarely improve dynasty value after this point, and he has not yet demonstrated long-term standalone starter potential.

Zach Charbonnet underwent ACL surgery in February 2026 with an 8-12 month recovery timeline, meaning he could return as early as October and reclaim Seattle's lead back role mid-season, compressing Wilson's peak window to roughly 6-9 games.

Wilson competes with Price, Charbonnet (targeting a mid-season ACL return), and Holani for a finite touch pool. Even in a best-case Price ramp scenario, Wilson projects for a 10-12 touch ceiling per game with minimal target share.

Wilson demonstrated he can handle a full starter workload (107 rushing yards, 2 TDs when Jacobs missed Week 12). With Jacobs dealing with recurring knee issues in late 2025, a Jacobs injury could immediately elevate Wilson to RB2/flex consideration.

Chris Brooks and possibly Emanuel Wilson are set to hit free agency in 2026 offseason. If Wilson is re-signed at reasonable salary and Lloyd's injury history continues to plague him, the Packers could position Wilson as the clear RB2 moving forward.

With Charbonnet sidelined at minimum through September-October 2026, Wilson enters camp as Seattle's uncontested RB1 and inherits the full touch volume of a historically run-heavy offense at a clear starter's salary.

Kenneth Walker III's departure to Kansas City in free agency left a significant touch vacuum in Seattle's backfield. Wilson steps directly into 18-22 carry potential per game without a proven competitor for the role.

MarShawn Lloyd has played only 1 game in 2 seasons due to relentless soft-tissue injuries. If Lloyd never returns to meaningful production (increasingly likely), Wilson's path to increased opportunity clarifies significantly for 2026+.

Price never started a college game at Notre Dame and is unproven as a workload carrier. A typical 4-8 week rookie adjustment period — especially pass protection and route running — could give Wilson genuine early-season RB2/flex value before the handoff completes.