The Seahawks have some difficult decisions to make when it’s time to trim down their roster from 90 to 53 players at the end of August. While there’s still training camp and three preseason games to get through, we can at least make an educated guess as to who’ll make the team.
Here’s what we’re expecting the initial 53-man roster to look like going into Week 1 against LA.
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Quarterbacks: 2*
- Geno Smith
- Drew Lock
- Holton Ahlers*
Pete Carroll usually carries two QBs on the roster and another on the practice squad. However, this year teams will be allowed to carry an extra QB on gamedays who won’t count against the 53-man roster. Expect Carroll to take advantage, whether it’s Holton Ahlers or another QB.
Running backs: 4
- Ken Walker
- Zach Charbonnet
- DeeJay Dallas
- Kenny McIntosh
Rashaad Penny is out of the picture, so the Seahawks are down to just two early-round draft picks at running back. A slew of injuries can derail any backfield in the NFL, but this is about as strong and deep as running back rooms get at this level.
Wide receivers: 7
- DK Metcalf
- Tyler Lockett
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Dareke Young
- Dee Eskridge
- Matt Landers
- Jake Bobo
Usually the Seahawks only carry six wide receivers during the regular season. We’re predicting an extra seventh wideout for a couple reasons – first being an expected shift to more 11 personnel (three receivers on the field) looks as well as the strength of their UDFA crop at this position.
Tght ends: 3
- Will Dissly
- Noah Fant
- Colby Parkinson
Four tight ends is usually how Carroll likes this group to look, and Seattle had a lot of success in 22 personnel last season. Nevertheless, all signs point to a shift in philosophy, making it likely they can get by with just three.
Offensive linemen: 9
- Charles Cross
- Damien Lewis
- Evan Brown
- Phil Haynes
- Abe Lucas
- Olu Oluwatimi
- Anthony Bradford
- Stone Forsythe
- Jake Curhan
Eventually we expect rookie Olu Oluwatimi to take over at center for Evan Brown, but it might not come until mid-season. The same can be said for Anthony Bradford over Phil Haynes at right guard. Until then, the top-five here are likely going to be the starting OL unit at the outset.
Interior defensive linemen: 6
- Dre’Mont Jones
- Cameron Young
- Jarran Reed
- Mario Edwards Jr.
- Myles Adams
- Jonah Tavai
If Bryan Mone heals from his ACL we expect him to make the initial 53-man roster. For now, we’re going with undrafted rookie Jonah Tavai out of San Diego State. He’s been named one of the most interesting UDFAs to follow this year.
Outside linebackers: 6
- Uchenna Nwosu
- Darrell Taylor
- Boye Mafe
- Derick Hall
- Alton Robinson
- Tyreke Smith
There’s a lot of opportunity for growth, here because outside of Uchenna Nwosu none of these young edge rushers have consistently proven themselves. Darell Taylor has the edge in experience but also faces a ton of competition coming from the younger OLBs.
Inside linebackers: 4
- Bobby Wagner
- Jordyn Brooks
- Devin Bush
- Nick Bellore
Nick Bellore might be counted as a fullback but he’s been playing more linebacker in recent years. Special teams is truly where he contributes in any case. There’s not much depth here, but at least they have a generational goat in Bobby Wagner.
Cornerbacks: 5
- Tariq Woolen
- Devon Witherspoon
- Mike Jackson
- Coby Bryant
- Tre Brown
Whether rookie Devon Witherspoon plays in the slot or replaces veteran Mike Jackson on the left boundary, Seattle is absolutely loaded at cornerback. If Tariq Woolen takes the second-year leap they could even have the best CB room in the league.
Safeties: 4
- Quandre Diggs
- Jamal Adams
- Julian Love
- Jerrick Reed II
This is both the most-expensive safety room in the NFL by miles and the hardest unit to crack for any young DBs trying to make a team. It’s possible we’ll see five safeties instead of four depending on just how much they want to run the big dime looks.
Specialists: 3
- K Jason Myers
- P Michael Dickson
- LS Chris Stoll
The three specialists are here by default as they’re the only players available at their respective positions. We don’t have any indication of who will be running the return game just yet. Rookie running backs are always a popular choice, though.
