Seahawks 53-man roster projection

Two games down, two to go until the regular season and the NFL roster cut down from 90 to 53. No better time to take a blind swing at the 53-man roster than at the halfway point!

Here’s how the roster looks at the time of writing:

QB (2): Russell Wilson, Trevone Boykin

Boykin looks like the exact same player as last season, which should be enough to hold off Austin Davis. Part of me still thinks this is where Colin Kaepernick lands come week one.

RB (5): Eddie Lacy, C.J. Prosise, Thomas Rawls, Chris Carson, Marcel Reece

The team bucks the trend here keeping five running backs over the usual four. There’s a possibility that they keep no natural fullbacks and play Luke Willson as a lead blocker, as they did at times in 2016. Alternatively, they could keep five running backs with J.D. McKissic making it over Reece because of special teams value (keeping Tyler Lockett the hell away from potentially injury on returns). Mike Davis has already surpassed Alex Collins, but neither will be able to make the team.

WR (6): Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett, Paul Richardson, Amara Darboh, Kasen Williams

Darboh’s lack of a proper preseason forces Seattle’s hand here. He likely wouldn’t make it through waivers onto the practice squad and is too valuable to risk losing. Williams has presumably locked a spot down, beating out David Moore, Tanner McEvoy and others.

TE (3): Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, Nick Vannett

Any risk Vannett had of getting cut went away when Marcus Lucas went down with a season ending injury. He sticks around for year two largely due to no better option.

OL (9): Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin, Luke Joeckel, Mark Glowinski, Justin Britt, Joey Hunt, Germain Ifedi, Oday Aboushi, Ethan Pocic

The Seahawks save a roster spot here by only keeping nine offensive lineman thanks to the versatility in the group. Will Pericak, Jordan Roos and Tyrus Thompson would be battling it out for the tenth and final spot, if they do keep ten.

DL (9): Michael Bennett, Jarran Reed, Ahtyba Rubin, Cliff Avril, Frank Clark, Cassius Marsh, Nazair Jones, Quinton Jefferson, David Bass

David Bass has (thus far) won himself a job this preseason with strong play, and big plays. He was effective against the Minnesota Vikings on loops from defensive end, something Seattle’s defensive utilizes often. Jefferson’s get off looks good despite last season’s knee injury. Jones and Jefferson’s versatility make this group really interesting.

LB (6): Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Terence Garvin, Michael Wilhoite, D.J. Alexander, Dewey McDonald

Both Garvin and Wilhoite have played meaningful snaps with the starters this preseason, and both should have roles come week one. I think Garvin will win the starting strongside linebacker competition, but Wilhoite has taken snaps at both MIKE and SAM. Alexander and McDonald will give the Seahawks tremendous special teams value.

CB (6): Richard Sherman, Tramaine Brock, Jeremy Lane, Shaquill Griffin, Neiko Thorpe, DeAndre Elliott

Sherman, Brock, Lane and Griffin gives the team four legitimate options both inside and outside, while Thorpe and Elliott again gives Seattle great special teams play.

S (4): Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Bradley McDougald, Delano Hill

Tedric Thompson is the obvious one missing here, but with good reason. He’s been dreadful in the preseason and despite being a natural free safety, I would feel more comfortable with McDougald there were Thomas to miss any time.

Specialists (3): Blair Walsh, Jon Ryan and Tyler Ott

Thumbs up for Blair Walsh getting his groove back!

Toughest/most notable cuts: Kenny Lawler, David Moore, Tanner McEvoy, Tylor Harris, Garrison Smith, Marcus Smith, Mike Morgan, Pierre Desir, Tedric Thompson