53 man roster projection for Seahawks defense as final cuts approach

One more preseason game and one more round of roster cuts for the Seattle Seahawks to trim the roster down to 53 ahead of the Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts. It’s been a long offseason, but just weeks remain until games which mean something in the standings are played. So, looking ahead to the roster cuts the Seahawks could make prior to the deadline to trim down to 53 prior to next Tuesday at 4 PM New York time, here is a projection for the defense.

Defensive Tackle

Keep: Poona Ford, Bryan Mone and Al Woods

Cut: Myles Adams, Jarrod Hewitt and Robert Nkemdiche

The team has already trimmed things considerably at defensive tackle, with Walter Palmore and Cedrick Lattimore being waived in each of the first round of cuts. Seattle could throw a wrench into projections for the position group by signing All Pro Geno Atkins, but that’s a wrench that isn’t worth worrying about until the team decides to make the purchase.

Defensive End

Keep: L.J. Collier, Carlos Dunlap, Rasheem Green, Kerry Hyder, Alton Robinson and Benson Mayowa

Cut: Alex Tchangam

The team tends to keep just nine defensive linemen, though that number could be ten if they decide to add Atkins.

Linebacker

Keep: Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Cody Barton, Darrell Taylor, Jon Rhattigan and somebody they pick up.

Cut: Lakiem Williams and Aaron Donkor

As an International Pathways player Donkor has an exemption that allows the team to carry 17 players on the practice squad rather than the traditional 16, so that’s where he likely ends up. The injury to Ben Burr-Kirven leaves a big hole in the special teams room and a small hole at linebacker depth, so it won’t be a surprise if the Hawks sign a free agent linebacker this week. That is likely to make fans who want the team to bring back K.J. Wright happy, but Wright is not the type of linebacker who is going to eat up 300 special teams snaps. That means the Seahawks could add a linebacker, just not the linebacker fans want to see added.

Having said all that, if the team feels Tchangam or Rhattigan can provide the special teams snaps they need, then there may not be a need for an addition this week. Something to watch closely in the preseason finale Saturday.

Safety

Keep: Jamal Adams, Quandre Diggs, Ryan Neal and Marquise Blair

Cut: Joshua Moon and Aashari Crosswell

No surprises here. Crosswell has performed well during the preseason, but there’s no clear path to playing time, so exposing him to waivers doesn’t seem to be risking a lot.

Cornerback

Keep: D.J. Reed, Akhello Witherspoon, Tre Brown, Tre Flowers and Ugo Amadi

Cut: Pierre Desir, Gavin Heslop, Will Sunderland and Damarious Randall

For fans there may be more questions at cornerback than any other spot on the roster. Flowers and Brown have both performed well at times, while Amadi likely makes the roster at nickel or as Blair’s backup at nickel while providing depth. Neither Randall or Desir have done much to demonstrate they should stick around on the roster, though they have one more week of practice and the game Saturday to show what they have to offer.