One down, two more preseason games to go for the Seattle Seahawks before the difficult process of final roster cuts. While there are still a couple of training camp practices open to the public, the greater focus for fans will be on those remaining exhibitions (and even reports from the joint scrimmage with the Green Bay Packers). There are still roster spots to be decided and starting jobs to be won!
Here’s my latest roster projection following Thursday’s 23-23 tie with the Las Vegas Raiders. For reference, here was my projection from two weeks ago.
Quarterback (3): Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe (R)
Notes: These are your three QBs. Unless they want to trade Lock to a backup-needy team, there is no discussion about the hierarchy.
Running Back (3): Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, George Holani
Cut: Anthony Tyus, Jacardia Wright, Damien Martinez
Notes: Here is my first change from the last projection. This was not just a “Raiders game” determination, it’s an observation based on reports and the practices I attended. Holani was getting more reps with the 2s than Martinez at the Lumen Field practice, which may or may not have coincided with Martinez fumbling the ball the day prior. In the Raiders game, Holani clearly outshined Martinez and he has that special teams experience that Martinez not just lacks, but made worse by muffing a kickoff. Either the top four get kept or Martinez goes. There is no need to keep four RBs when you can just elevate a fourth guy from the practice squad or eventually sign them from the PS. A fourth RB is getting healthy scratches almost every week in the NFL, so please do not freak out over “but what about injuries?!!”
Fullback (1): Robbie Ouzts (R)
Notes: OUZZZZZZZZTTTTSSSSS.
Wide Receiver (5): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Bobo, Tory Horton (R)
Cut: Ricky White (R), Steven Sims, Dareke Young, Cody White, Tyrone Broden, John Rhys Plumlee
Notes: Another change from last projection is the removal of Steven Sims, who is listed as a starting returner but could just as easily be bounced for George Holani if the latter makes the roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if MVS is traded (not cut, because they save little money and take on another $3 million in dead cap) after a fairly uneventful training camp, but the fact that he wasn’t playing in the Raiders game may be an indication that they’ll still keep him around. If MVS is removed, I believe Dareke Young would take his spot. Broden is easy practice squad material and so are Ricky White and Sims.
Tight End (4): Elijah Arroyo (R), A.J. Barner, Eric Saubert, Brady Russell
Cut: Marshall Lang, Nick Kallerup
Notes: Russell was on my cut list last time, but not this time. His special teams value will keep him on the roster.
Offensive Line (10): Charles Cross, Abe Lucas, Josh Jones, Christian Haynes, Anthony Bradford, Sataoa Laumea, Olu Oluwatimi, Jalen Sundell, Grey Zabel (R), Mason Richman (R)
Cut: Federico Maranges, Amari Kight, Luke Felix-Fualalo, Bryce Cabeldue, Michael Jerrell
Notes: This is a tough one. I’ve swapped Richman in and Cabeldue out even though Cabeldue is a higher draft pick. Cabeldue evidently hasn’t had a great camp, whereas Richman played guard and tackle on Thursday night. Josh Jones is the clear backup swing tackle on both sides, so he’s a lock. It was a little bit surprising to see Amari Kight getting to play with the 2s while Jerrell wasn’t inserted until late in the Raiders game as a left tackle. Jerrell looked good from what I saw in practice but there is way, way more that goes into decision-making on roster decisions than what fans and reporters can see. This is the first time I’ve ever said this, but the Seahawks have a good problem to have with all of these offensive linemen. Lastly, Christian Haynes is not out of the woods yet given he’s seemingly not in the right guard competition. Haynes spent all of Thursday at left guard and he’s done some work at center, which hasn’t gone particularly well.
Defensive Line (7): Byron Murphy II, Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Johnathan Hankins, DeMarcus Lawrence, Mike Morris, Brandon Pili
Cut: Quinton Bohanna, J.R. Singleton, Bubba Thomas, Anthony Campbell
NFI list: Rylie Mills (R)
Notes: Same as the last projection. Bohanna and Pili have both been good throughout camp and it continued into preseason. I believe one of these two will survive final roster cuts, while the other should make it through waivers and land on the practice squad. I’m assuming Hankins will be off PUP in time for the season to start.
Outside Linebacker (4): Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, Tyreke Smith, Jared Ivey (R, UDFA)
Cut: Seth Coleman, Jalan Gaines, Connor O’Toole
Notes: I don’t expect both Smith and Ivey to spend the whole season on the active roster. At least one of them will likely make the roster but as long as Uchenna Nwosu returns from PUP then their spot is in jeopardy. Smith has been good throughout camp and was the best pass rusher on Thursday. Ivey performed well against the Raiders rushing offense and has been one of the few UDFAs to stand out on defense.
Inside Linebacker (4): Ernest Jones IV, Tyrice Knight, Drake Thomas, Josh Ross
Cut: Jamie Sheriff, D’Eryk Jackson, Patrick O’Connell
Notes: I suspect it’s down to Ross (who just had hand surgery) and O’Connell for the fourth spot… if there is a fourth spot. My deciding factor is that Ross played a significantly greater proportion of special teams snaps than O’Connell. Neither man has had a defensive snap for the Seahawks yet. Whichever player doesn’t make that ILB4 spot may end up on the practice squad, which is what happened to O’Connell last season.
Cornerback (5): Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Shaquill Griffin, Nehemiah Pritchett
Cut: Kam Alexander, Shemar Jean-Charles, Tyler Hall, Isas Waxter, Keydrain Calligan, Damarion Williams
Notes: I think I’ve seen enough out of Kam Alexander to make a definitive prediction on his future. We’ll give Shaq another week to see if he still hangs around with the team. Pritchett’s spot looks fairly secure (and I saw him get reps with the 1s in 11-on-11 while Griffin was out) and there is a steep drop-off after him. Maybe Williams still has a chance but I forecast him as a practice squad player.
Safety (4): Julian Love, Coby Bryant, D’Anthony Bell, Nick Emmanwori (R)
Cut: Jerrick Reed II, Ty Okada
Notes: I think this quartet is already decided. Reed being buried deep in the second half of a backup-heavy preseason game is ominous as far as his future with the team. At best, Okada is a fifth safety/special teams guy and at worst he’s back on the practice squad.
Punter (1): Michael Dickson
Long Snapper (1): Chris Stoll
Notes: Unless Chris Stoll is seriously hurt then there’s nothing to discuss here.
As always, this projection will change regularly throughout the preseason as more games are played and more roster transactions are made!