Seahawks roster breakdown position by position: The battles for roster spots on defense

A few thoughts on the the battles to fill out the defense on the Seahawks' 2014 53-man roster.

CORNERBACKS

(I predict 5 slots)

I know Tharold Simon was ejected from the game (and deserved it) but I am pretty sure he makes the roster.  We know Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane will make the roster.  The 5th corner spot will likely go to either A.J. Jefferson or Akeem Auguste.  Auguste needs to get healthy, and it will be nice to watch him, hopefully versus Chicago.  I believe Phillip Adams and Terrell Thomas may be behind those two.

Battle: Auguste vs Jefferson

SAFETIES

(I predict 4 slots)

Eric Pinkins is on NFI, and I am including him in this safety group for now.  He will likely begin the year on PUP, and that could be good for the Seahawks when midseason arrives.  Dion Bailey has reverted to IR, but he is a nice stash for 2015 as Jeron Johnson will become an unrestricted free agent.  That leaves us with Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Jeron Johnson, DeShawn Shead, Terrance Parks, Steve Terrell and Michael Dobson.  I don't think Terrell or Dobson have a realistic shot.  Parks has been with the team for a big part of the year, but I would lean Shead for the 4th safety spot.

Battle: Shead vs Parks

LINEBACKERS

(I predict 6 slots)

I think this group is sorting out pretty clearly, to be honest.  Locks to me are Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Malcolm Smith and Kevin Pierre-Louis.   I know KPL has been banged up with an oblique, but I don't see Seattle giving up on him this early.

Korey Toomer will likely begin the year on PUP (that is a guess) and I think that is good for the Seahawks as they may need a midseason infusion of bodies. Heath Farwell looked pretty bad on defense to my eye last night, and Jackson Jeffcoat and Horace Miller didn't look that much better.

I think the bottom of the LB group will be Mike Morgan and Brock Coyle. Coyle is younger, cheaper, and faster than Farwell -- and may not be a special teams guru, but can be a solid ST contributor, for now. Morgan stays healthy, while Toomer has yet to stay healthy. I don't see Marcus Dowtin, or Mike Taylor making the roster.

Battle: Coyle vs Farwell

EDGE

(I predict 4 slots)

From a rewatch of the game -- O'Brien Schofield looked better than Benson Mayowa. Mayowa is younger and has more club control, but that may not save him this year, unless he flashes. Schofield and Mayowa could both make it if Irvin begins the year on the PUP list, however. Cliff Avril and Cassius Marsh are locks.

Before the game, I tended to predict Mayowa over Schofield, but I may switch that around (for now). 

Battle: Schofield vs Mayowa

DEFENSIVE LINE

(I predict 6 slots)

Michael Bennett, Brandon Mebane, Tony McDaniel, and Kevin Williams are locks. A lot of the bodies that filled this position group are already gone or injured. Jimmy Staten is injured and looks like a long-shot. Jesse Williams reverted to IR. Kenneth Boatright is now with the Cowboys. Dewayne Cherrington is gone.

Jordan Hill and Greg Scruggs just need to flash a little bit and then stay healthy. I really think Scruggs and Hill will take the last two spots. Michael Brooks and D'Anthony Smith will really have to flash, or see an injury ahead of them, to make it in my view. I don't see Andru Pulu making the roster, but may be a good player for the ghost roster or practice squad. 

Battle: Scruggs/Hill vs. injuries

-I will touch on the offense in a few days-

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