Seahawks release Kasen Williams, 6 recent draft picks to get roster down to 53

The Seattle Seahawks released wide receiver Kasen Williams — and more than a couple dozen other players -- on Saturday to get their roster down to the required 53 before the 1 PM deadline. There were a few notable moves, but none bigger (on Twitter at least) than the decision to put Williams on waivers for another NFL team to grab, if they’re willing to put him on their 53-man roster.

For Williams, the good news is that he’ll likely wind up with an NFL team, and if not, will return to Seattle at some point in the near future. He had some exceptional catches in preseason games as well as at least a highlight or two on special teams. The former undrafted free agent out of the University of Washington has done a nice job for himself given how many cards have been stacked against him.

Since high school, Williams has just a single 100-yard game (and that came in September of 2012) and in his senior season for the Huskies, had 189 yards and missed some time with injury. He was undrafted in 2015 but has managed to stick around for nearly three years now. After the Seahawks traded Jermaine Kearse (who has a remarkably similar story to Williams) it seemed that Kasen was indeed a lock to make the roster, but Seattle opted to keep five receivers, and Tanner McEvoy was favored over him.

J.D. McKissic may also play some as the “sixth receiver,” but was also kept because he can play at running back and return kicks.

The Seahawks also released six players who have been drafted over the last two years: Quinton Jefferson, Kenny Lawler, Alex Collins, Joey Hunt, David Moore, and Mike Tyson. Additionally, 2016 undrafted free agent quarterback Trevone Boykin, who was the backup all of last season and came in relief of Russell Wilson at a couple points, was also released. For now, the team will be going with Austin Davis at backup, but they could be in the market for a better option at that position.

Many fans were also upset or dumbfounded at the team parting ways with cornerback Pierre Desir, who was also released. Desir played well in the preseason, but the team opted instead to trade for Justin Coleman from the New England Patriots. Veteran contracts that were terminated include Mike Morgan, Marcel Reece, and Ahtyba Rubin.

Rubin would likely be picked up by another team, but Morgan and Reece are good candidates to return midseason.

The full list of players released:

(A previous version of this had Williams and Desir as “waived/injured” because that’s how the team officially listed it on the site before correcting themselves)

• Trevone Boykin, QB
• Darrell Brown, T
• Rodney Butler, LB
• Alex Collins, RB
• Mike Davis, RB
• Pierre Desir, CB
• Cyril Grayson, WR
• Tylor Harris, DT
• Joey Hunt, C
• Quinton Jefferson, DT
• Kenny Lawler, WR
• Jeremy Liggins, DT
• Greg Milhouse, DT
• David Moore, WR
• Kache Palacio, LB
• Will Pericak, OL
• Otha Peters, LB
• Darreus Rogers, WR
• Garrison Smith, DT
• Rodney Smith, WR
• Tyrone Swoopes, TE
• Tyrus Thompson, OL
• Mike Tyson, CB
• Kasen Williams, WR

Waived/Injured

• Christian French, LB
• Demetrius McCray, CB
• Rodney Coe, DT
• Pierre Desir, CB
• Kasen Williams, WR

Terminated Vet Contracts

• Mike Morgan, LB
• Marcel Reece, FB
• Ahtyba Rubin, DT

Traded Away

• Cassius Marsh, DE
• Tramaine Brock, CB

PUP

• DeShawn Shead, CB

IR

• George Fant, OT
• Marcus Cromartie, S
• DeAndre Elliott, CB

NFI

• Malik McDowell, DT
• Dion Jordan, DE