Jadarian Price or Rashod Bateman: Who Should You Start?
2026 Week 2 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.
Price’s starting role edges Bateman’s volume-based appeal
Price gets the call because Seattle’s 10-point-favorite script gives his newly confirmed starting role a clearer path to sustained rushing work (SI.com (OnSI) 2026-09-17). Bateman has the stronger established workload, but his low target involvement makes the Ravens’ passing-game opportunity dependent on Zay Flowers’ status. If Flowers sits, Bateman’s familiarity with Lamar Jackson materially improves his outlook (ESPN 2026-09-18). Price remains the narrower, not runaway, choice: his limited NFL sample is the main risk, while Bateman can win if Baltimore’s target tree opens as expected.
What flips it: Zay Flowers being cleared to play.
Sources: SI.com (OnSI) · Sep 17, 2026 · ESPN · Sep 18, 2026
AI editor
Jadarian Price
11.512.313.2 Projected Points
Rashod Bateman
7.18.710.3 Projected Points
Jadarian Price’s market
Rashod Bateman’s market
Why Jadarian Price
Start· mediumRookie RB atop the depth chart. Explosive, home-run-speed runner with no prior NFL sample.
Named the Week 2 starter with Seattle a 10-point favorite and a 27.3 implied total — RB23 projection in a run-heavy script beats replacement.
- Seattle’s heavy favorite script could turn Price’s starting nod into sustained rushing chances.
- His explosive rushing profile gives the role more upside than a replacement-level committee back.
The call
- Role is confirmed, not projected: Price will start at running back after 10 carries for 52 yards (5.2 YPC) plus 2 catches in his debut, and he's listed as the RB on the depth chart.
- Game script is ideal — Seattle is favored by 10 with a 27.3 implied total, the profile that turns a starting back into fourth-quarter carries and goal-line work.
- The DvP composite reads 7 of 32 (tough) but it's a one-game sample with 0.00 confidence, so it shouldn't outweigh volume; ESPN's Cockcroft also likes the Arizona matchup for him.
- Main risk is the 48% snap share and 8% target share — this is still a shared backfield, which caps the ceiling if Seattle stays balanced.
Latest on Price
Price will start at running back for Seattle in Week 2 at Arizona after rushing for 52 yards on 10 carries (5.2 yards/attempt) and catching 2 passes for 6 yards in his NFL debut against New England.
SI.com (OnSI), Yahoo Sports (Seahawks Wire) · Sep 17, 2026Seahawks rookie Jadarian Price is looking forward to playing against his former teammate and Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love on Sunday.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Why Rashod Bateman
Start· mediumStarting outside WR2. Smooth route runner and vertical/red-zone threat in a low-volume passing attack.
Flowers doubtful clears the target tree for Baltimore's WR-2 — 78% snaps, best Lamar rapport, 27.0 implied total in a soft 24-of-32 matchup.
- Bateman’s 78% role is the sturdier workload foundation if Baltimore must throw.
- Flowers’ absence would make Bateman the Ravens receiver most familiar with Lamar Jackson.
The call
- Zay Flowers is doubtful, and ESPN notes Bateman would be the Ravens receiver with the most familiarity with Lamar Jackson — that's a direct path from a 4% target share to real volume.
- He's already on the field: 78% snap share as the WR-2, so the role is locked in regardless of what happens with target competition.
- Baltimore's 27.0 implied total and -7.5 spread point to a comfortable, efficient offense, and the Saints grade 24 of 32 versus the position (1-game sample, so treat it as a nudge rather than a green light).
- Risk: the 4% target share from Week 1 is the whole case against him. If Flowers is upgraded and plays, this drops straight to a flex toss-up.
Latest on Bateman
If Zay Flowers cannot play, Bateman would become Baltimore's wide receiver with the most familiarity with Lamar Jackson.
Ravens looking for Bateman to step up if Flowers can't playESPN, baltimoreravens.com, BaltimoreRavens.com · Sep 18, 2026Bateman is still awaiting the NFL's investigation outcome regarding his June arrest on family violence charges.
Ravens looking for Bateman to step up if Flowers can't playESPN · Sep 18, 2026Ravens receiver Zay Flowers is doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Saints after he aggravated a left hamstring injury and missed the majority of practices this week.
Jamison Hensley explains why Rashod Bateman is the Ravens wide receiver to watch going into Week 2.
Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.
Head-to-head stats
| Metric | Jadarian Price | Rashod Bateman |
|---|---|---|
| Projected points | 11.512.313.2 | 7.18.710.3 |
| Consensus rank | RB23 | — |
| Opponent vs position | ARI · 7 of 321-game sample | NO · 24 of 321-game sample |
| Rushing Yards | 4 of 32 | — |
| Rushing TDs | 15 of 32 | — |
| Rushing Attempts | 8 of 32 | — |
| Receptions | 1 of 32 | 27 of 32 |
| Receiving Yards | 2 of 32 | 10 of 32 |
| Anytime TD | 13 of 32 | 25 of 32 |
| Receiving TDs | — | 25 of 32 |
| Targets | — | 31 of 32 |
| Target share | 8% | 4% |
| Reception share | 12% | 0% |
| Implied total · spread | 27.3-10.0 | 27.0-7.5 |
| Depth chart | RB1 | WR2 |
| Snap share | 48% | 78% |
| Start/Sit record | 0–0+1 toss-up | — |
Recent form
Jadarian Price — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs NE | 5.86.87.8 |
Rashod Bateman — last 1 week
| Week 1 | vs IND | 0.00.00.0 |
Signal breakdown
- 13.2 vs 10.3 projected PPR pointsJadarian Price +
- Consensus position rankeven
- Opponent DvP rank 7 vs 24 (32 = softest)even
- Implied 27.3 vs 27.0 team pointsJadarian Price +
- No injury designationseven
- 48% vs 78% snap shareRashod Bateman +
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