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2023 Seahawks 53-Man roster projection – Preseason Week 3 Update

(Original post: Aug 25, 2023, 6:46am PDT, Edit: Aug 27, 8:29am PDT)

Updates for those who read the 1st post:

Jacob Sykes replaced by Matt Gotel

Joey Blount replaced by Artie Burns (technically Bryant’s performance at Safety makes him expendable)

I’ve had the privilege of attending 4 training camp practices (2 in pads), the mock game, and the Vikings preseason game. I also broke down every play of both the Vikings and Cowboys games on all-22 and twice watched the TV broadcast of the Packers game. That’s my usual offseason routine and as most years I feel I have a pretty good grasp of what the team will look like come 4pm ET on August 29th. Of course, there are usually one or two surprise cuts, a trade, and a waiver claim, so the 53 players on the roster come opening day on September 10th will likely have a few names not mentioned here.

I’m very excited about what I’ve witnessed this summer. The team has better chemistry and are looser than I’ve seen in years, they are lightning fast, and have pro bowl talent all over the roster at QB, OT, WR, DE, Edge, CB, LB, and Safety. The pass rush looks legit. The concern is the interior of the line on both sides of the ball and whether they can control the line of scrimmage, though with Bobby Wagner and Kenneth Walker behind each of them, I’m feeling pretty good. Either way this roster is excellent and ready to compete at a high level with any team in the NFL.

Quarterback (2) – Geno and Lock run it back for Round 2. Ahlers, who looks to have real potential, to the practice squad.

Center (2) – This one is pretty simple. The veteran Brown starts, the rookie Olu learns, and the perennial practice squad player Joey Hunt goes to the practice squad.

Guard (3) – Depth is hurting here but Curhan, Olu, and Brown can all play guard if needed, so it’s not a huge concern. Kendall Randolph to practice squad.

Tackle (4) – The Seahawks have book end starters in Lucas and Cross and quality depth in Curhan and Forsythe. Eiland and McKenzie to the practice squad.

Fullback (1) – The ageless Bellore also plays LB and is a special teams captain.

Running Back (4) – This is an excellent young group that compliments each other well, each with a unique skillset. Walker is the pure speed homerun threat, Charbonnet is the one cut and go between the tackles runner, McIntosh is the explosive 3rd down change of pace back, and DJ Dallas is the do all utility back. Bryant Koback and SaRodorick Thompson to the practice squad.

Tight End (3) – Tight ends are set with all three starters returning from last year. Parkinson has looked excellent in camp. This is a Top 5 tight end group in the league. Mabry to practice squad.

Receiver (5) – As unfortunate as Eskridge’s injury and suspension are, it’s a blessing in disguise for the Seahawks as some UDFAs have shined and it clears a spot for one of them to make the team. Jake Bobo has been phenomenal and Landers, who is 6’5" with a 4.37 40-yard dash, has made some eye-opening plays. JSN has looked every bit as good as advertised, quick and smooth. This passing offense is going to fly! Dareke Young has an abductor issue that will likely put him on IR to start the season, opening the door for Bobo. Assuming the shoulder injury isn’t serious they’ll keep Thompson, who’s been a Carroll favorite the last couple years, over Johnson. Landers slips through to the practice squad along with Lindsey and Winston.

Total Offense = 24 players

Defensive Tackle (2 3) – Expect a cut week trade or signing to fill out this position group because it’s just not deep enough with Mone far from returning and Faoliu on PUP. Reed and Young have looked solid and could be an excellent combo for the long and penetrating defense Hurt wants to run. Matt Gotel to the practice squad. Update: Correction, Matt Gotel should make this team, his size and strength are a significant need and he looked solid against the Packers starters. Gotel replaces Jacob Sykes, who looked out of place against Green Bay starters.

Defensive End (5 4) – This position group is going to make or break the run defense and seems undersized, but it looks like it could be a Top 10 position group in sacks and QB pressures. Jones has looked unblockable. The quality on offense allows the defense one extra player, it’s between Jacob Sykes Matt Gotel and safety Jonathan Southerland and the Seahawks go with the trenches. Expect a waiver claim or signing at this position to fill out the depth in place of Sykes, likely a 300lber that can also play nose.

Edge/OLB (5) – Levi Bell has had an outstanding pre-season but this position group is absolutely loaded and there is no reason to keep Bell on the 53, at 5’11" he’ll get to the practice squad. Tyreke Smith looked questionable early in camp and against the Vikings but looked solid against the Cowboys after playing extensively in 3 quarters. Mafe looks like a double-digit sack player and will start opposite of Nwosu. They’ll be subbed for Hall and Taylor situationally to keep them fresh. Those are 4 players each capable of double digit sacks. Update: After the Packers game it’s confirmed Smith is the better edge over Bell, there’s just not room for 6 edges on this roster.

Linebacker (4) – Bobby is back!!! Brooks is healthy and ready to start the season 8 months after ACL surgery, which is unbelievable. Bush looks like a solid backup that can start if needed. What began as a significant position of concern, I shed a tear when the Lions picked Jack Campbell, now seems to be an area of strength. Levi Jones had a bad ankle injury but O’Connell looked good in significant action against the Cowboys, both won’t be claimed by other teams so the Seahawks don’t need to keep either. Update: Rhattigan makes it on special teams prowess, though O’Connell does have the higher upside. Jones goes to IR while O’Connell goes to the practice squad.

Cornerback (5 6) – It’s going to be very interesting to see who starts opposite of Woolen. Considering Witherspoon’s injury keeping him out during the heart of camp to learn both the nickel and outside spots, do they start Spoon on the outside or at nickel? The #5 pick is going to start if he’s healthy. Michael Jackson and Coby Bryant played at a pretty similar level last year and during training camp, so it could go either way, but indications are Spoon will start at nickel. Considering Witherspoon’s best trait is physicality it’s probably a good idea to keep him near the box to start his career…let’s just hope his 180lb frame holds up. Update: After the Packers game it appears Tre Brown is the starting left cornerback, which I think he has earned, slightly outperforming Jackson. Artie Burns, who did not make my original projection, looked excellent all game against Green Bay. At just $1.02M he should be retained, possibly traded. Boykin goes to the practice squad.

Safety (5 4) – This position group is extremely versatile and will allow the secondary to be very flexible in coverages and blitz packages. Joey Blount’s injury might keep him off the roster with Reed and Southerland looking excellent in his absence, but with his experience and past performance it’s unlikely the Seahawks keep two rookies over him. Schnieder talking about his admiration for Reed’s make-up after the draft indicates they keep him over Southerland. Jonathan Southerland and Ty Okada to the practice squad. Update: Blount got hurt again against the Packers, after Coby Bryant and Jerrick Reed’s performances, Blount is expendable. Artie Burns’ performance almost ensures Blount loses his spot.

Defense = 26 Players

Special Teams (3) – Pro Bowl kicker and punter set.

Thoughts on what I’ve seen this summer:

Geno looks more poised and even more accurate than last year.

DK still drops passes but has reached another level with his route running.

JSN is the real deal and shakes himself open often, same with Bobo.

Landers makes highlight real plays regularly.

Bell is a practice superstar but against starters not so much.

Dareke Young appears to not be progressing.

McIntosh is really explosive.

Dremont Jones looks unblockable, fast with powerful arms, same with Nwosu.

Bobby looks thinner and a bit faster than I remember in 2021, he might surprise, Ray Lewis did it into his late 30s.

Witherspoon is always in the right spot, his instincts are legit as they say, but he’s had several balls caught over him and in front of him, he kind of reminds me of Walter Thurmond.

Bush is slow to diagnose plays but really fast to make up for it.

Reed looks excellent at nose and is always in the backfield.

Brown is a huge upgrade at center from Blythe, I mean huge literally, he’s way bigger and way stronger.

Damion Lewis looks so good, he might end up as one of the best guards in the NFC.

Lucas’s hands are exceptionally good, like getting to Walter Jones level hands.

Love is all over the place, he looks like a real Swiss army knife.

Hall is Bruce Irvin strong and Darrell Taylor explosive, same with Mafe, QBs watch out!

I can go on and on. This is going to be a really fun roster to watch kick ass! GO HAWKS!!