The Seattle Seahawks are functionally on summer break until training camp, which starts July 23 but requires rookies to report on July 15. While we bide our time and wait for the first part of the offseason available to the public, how about another Seahawks roster projection? As always, this is the initial 53-man roster and there are usually tweaks made after the preseason cutdowns, so whatever you see for Week 1 is unlikely to be the same roster by Week 2. The Seahawks have a lot of rookies, a lot of young talent, and a lot of difficult choices to make soon.
In the interest of simplicity I’m not going to put anyone on PUP until there’s more clarity on injuries next month.
Offense (26)
Quarterback (3): Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe (R)
Cut: N/A
Notes: Unless there’s some sort of emergency trade value out of Lock, I think this is the year the Seahawks maintain three QBs on the active roster. It is not the end of the world if Milroe is occasionally a gameday inactive.
Running Back (3): Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Damien Martinez (R)
Cut: Kenny McIntosh, Jacardia Wright, George Holani
Notes: Kenneth Walker III has been subject to trade speculation. His value has to be at its lowest point; he’s in a contract year and is coming off a career-worst season in which he missed six games to injury. A ton of NFL teams just took running backs in one of the deepest classes in years. Just let Walker play out his deal and decide whether to re-sign or let him walk for a possible comp pick. As for RB3, I think Marinez or McIntosh wins but they won’t both be rostered. I believe McIntosh has a better chance of being a practice squad stash than Martinez. I’m of the belief Martinez’s style of running fits more closely what Mike Macdonald wants.
Fullback (1): Robbie Ouzts (R)
Cut: Brady Russell
Notes: It’s either/or. Ouzts was admittedly the one pick I wasn’t overly thrilled about as a fifth-rounder, but I think he has the better frame to be a traditional fullback compared to Russell. And by that, I mean he’s much heftier. I’m sure Russell could be stashed on the practice squad if he’s waived.
Wide Receiver (6): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Bobo, Tory Horton (R), Ricky White III (R)
Cut: Dareke Young, Cody White, Montorie Foster, Tyrone Broden, Steven Sims, John Rhys Plumlee
Notes: This is the tough part. I think absent a trade, MVS’ contract is enough for him to stay on the roster. If White III makes the roster it’s absolutely for his special teams value. I’d be interested to see who ends up in the kick and punt return spots, as that’s hardly settled. Cody White apparently had another strong minicamp but I think he has an uphill battle given the rookies drafted.
Tight End (3): Noah Fant, Elijah Arroyo (R), A.J. Barner
Cut: Eric Saubert, Marshall Lang, Nick Kallerup
Notes: My change-up is that Saubert gets cut even with his $350,000 guaranteed salary. The plans to run more 12 and 13 personnel do not require rostering four tight ends; the New Orleans Saints only had three last year. I think the Seahawks even rostering a fullback negates the need for four TEs. Fant/Arroyo/Barner should be enough.
Offensive Line (10): Charles Cross, Abe Lucas, Josh Jones, Christian Haynes, Anthony Bradford, Sataoa Laumea, Olu Oluwatimi, Jalen Sundell, Grey Zabel (R), Bryce Cabeldue (R)
Cut: Michael Jerrell, Federico Maranges, Amari Kight, Luke Felix-Fualalo, Mason Richman
Notes: At least one of Jerrell or Richman would be a practice squad candidate. Josh Jones would be the swing tackle. Zabel and Cabeldue have guard/tackle versatility, although Cabeldue’s prospects are much better suited at guard.
Defense (24)
Defensive Line (7): Byron Murphy II, Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Johnathan Hankins, DeMarcus Lawrence, Mike Morris, Rylie Mills (R)
Cut: Quinton Bohanna, J.R. Singleton, Bubba Thomas, Brandon Pili, Anthony Campbell
Notes: For now I will put Lawrence as a DE instead of an outside linebacker, but we’re splitting hairs here. I would watch for Mills as a PUP candidate given his January ACL tear, although he’s trying to get back on the field for training camp. Mike Morris is a bubble candidate, in my opinion.
Outside Linebacker (4): Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, Uchenna Nwosu, Jared Ivey (UDFA, R)
Cut: Seth Coleman, Jalan Gaines, Connor O’Toole, Tyreke Smith
Notes: I suppose the only story here is whether the Seahawks keep an extra edge rusher or not. The top three are all locks but Ivey was one of those UDFAs who is believed to have the potential to make a regular season roster. Likewise for O’Toole, but for now I lean toward Ivey.
Inside Linebacker (4): Ernest Jones IV, Tyrice Knight, Drake Thomas, Josh Ross
Cut: Patrick O’Connell, Jamie Sheriff, D’Eryk Jackson
Notes: Josh Ross gets in over O’Connell due to his extensive special teams play last season. Sheriff has apparently gotten looks at inside linebacker, which is mildly interesting. There’s really just not a lot of depth here but you already knew that.
Cornerback (5): Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett, Zy Alexander (UDFA, R)
Cut: Shemar Jean-Charles, J.T. Woods, Tyler Hall, Isas Waxter, Damarion Williams
Notes: Alexander intrigues me as a UDFA option to make the roster. Beyond his superb last name, he was a bit of a surprise faller from Day 3 to UDFA status and may be good depth. This is a position where I don’t believe anyone’s job below Jobe is safe, especially with Seattle’s interest in a veteran corner.
Safety (4): Julian Love, Coby Bryant, D’Anthony Bell, Nick Emmanwori (R)
Cut: Jerrick Reed II, A.J. Finley, Ty Okada
Notes: The only “cut” player I’m unsure of is Reed, if only for special teams reasons. Two years worth of significant injuries is unfavorable for him and I’m not sure where he fits for playing time over the top three.
Special Teams (3)
Kicker (1): Jason Myers
Punter (1): Michael Dickson
Long Snapper (1): Chris Stoll
We’ll double back on this after the first week of training camp! Tell us your thoughts in the comments section below!
