Seattle Seahawks Roster Battles: Skill Positions

Over the next few days, I’m going to preview the roster battles that we’ll be watching once training camp gets here. I’m starting with the “skill positions,” simply because they’re the most straight forward this year. Might as well take out the easiest battles right off that bat.

Jan. 1, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback (7) Tarvaris Jackson drops back to pass against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Seahawks 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback (2)

Locks: Russell Wilson

On The Bubble: Brady Quinn, Tarvaris Jackson

Longer Odds:

This is probably the easiest position on the roster to figure out, which is a nice change from past years. Wilson is the starter, and one of the other 2 will be his backup. I believe it’ll be Jackson, but Quinn isn’t out of it by any means. There’s no young project QB on the roster at the moment, so the chances of the team keeping a 3rd QB is almost zero right now.

Backs (4)

Locks: Marshawn Lynch, Christine Michael, Robert Turbin

On The Bubble: Michael Robinson, Spencer Ware,

Longer Odds: Derrick Coleman

Michael Robinson is the player to watch in this group. His supposed replacement has been drafted, and his salary makes him a likely casualty. The roster crunch makes it unlikely that the team keeps 5 backs, so Robinson has his work cut out for him at this point. That said, the offense has better with him on the field than without him the past 2 seasons, so I don’t think he’ll be let go unless ware proves he can be an upgrade.

Jan 13, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Seattle Seahawks tight end Zach Miller (86) runs after a catch against Atlanta Falcons strong safety William Moore (25) during the second quarter of the NFC divisional playoff game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Tight Ends (3)

Locks: Zach Miller, Luke Willson

On The Bubble: Sean McGrath

Longer Odds: Cooper Helfet, Darren Fells, Victor Marshall

The loss of Anthony McCoy to a season ending injury muddles this position group’s outlook. That 3rd TE spot is now up for grabs, though it appears that McGrath has the inside track at this point. Darren Fells had been getting some nice press since he signed because he’s a former basketball player. The problem is that in the team’s OTAs, he looked like a basketball player, and not a football player. I’d say he has the longest odds to make the roster.

Wide Receiver (6)

Locks: Percy Harvin, Sydney Rice, Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Chris Harper

On The Bubble:

Longer Odds: Phil Bates, Arceto Clark, Greg Herd, Jermaine Kerse, Charly Martin, Brett Swain, Justin Veltung, Bryan Walters, Stephan Williams

The history of the team under Carroll says the team will keep 6 WRs. Who that 6th player will be though is anyone’s guess though. Given the lack of solid options, it’s possible the team keeps just 5 and uses the roster spot to keep an extra back or TE, but I doubt that happens.