Seattle Seahawks: 53 man roster projection
By Keith Myers
The preseason is halfway over for the Seattle Seahawks. In two weeks, they will have reduced their roster from 90 down to 53. The roster battles are far from over, but many of them are well on their way to being decided.
Here’s how I think things would end up if the Seahawks had to make those cuts right now.
Offense
Quarterback: Russell Wilson, Tarvaris Jackson
Cut: R.J. Archer, Jake Waters
This one is pretty obvious. Jackson isn’t being pushed off the roster (his contract is guaranteed for 2015) and the team cannot afford to keep a 3rd QB this year. I expect one of Archer or Waters to land on the practice squad.
Running Back: Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, Christine Michael
Fullback: Derrick Coleman
Cut: Thomas Rawls, Rod Smith, Will Tukuafu, Bandon Cottom
Pete Carroll said this morning that Rawl and Smith aren’t pushing Michael. There is a chance that the team could keep a 4th RB, but for now I’ll keep it at three.
I also don’t think that either of the other fullbacks push Coleman off the roster as long as Coleman is healthy. Both Cottom and Tukuafu are capable though. Cottom likely lands on the practice squad.
Tight End: Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, RaShaun Allen
Cut: Anthony McCoy, Cooper Helfet
Allen as the third TE might be bit of a surprise here. McCoy simply doesn’t move like he did before missing 2 seasons to 2 torn Achilles. He has had hands of stone at times in camp. Helfet has been hurt for much of the year, so I think the team keeps a healthy Allen instead.
Another option would be for the Seahawks to keep 2 TEs and then keep Cottom as an extra FB. They could then use one of the FBs or an extra OT at TE in different game situations.
Wide Receiver: Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Chris Matthews, Jermaine Kearse, B.J. Daniels, Ricardo Lockette
Cut: Kasen Williams, Kevin Smith
This is the toughest position group to call. It came down to Lockette vs. Kasen for the last spot. Lockette is one of the best special teams players in the league, but he’s 8th out of 8 guys in terms of what he brings to the offense which made for a tough decision.
In the end, special teams won. The Seahawks will have to hope that they can sneak Williams onto the practice squad.
Offensive Line: Russell Okung, J.R. Sweezy, Justin Britt, Gary Gilliam, Drew Nowak, Alvin Bailey, Mark Glowinski, Kristjan Sokoli, Lemuel Jean-Pierre, Terry Poole
Cut: Patrick Lewis, Will Pericak, Keavon Milton, Jesse Davis
Obviously this changes if the Seahawks sign Evan Mathis or Samson Satele. Those guys aren’t signed yet, so they don’t factor into this projection.
The Seahawks will likely keep the starting 5 as it was for the last game. That gives them Bailey as the primary backup OT and LJP as the guy who can backup all three inside positions.
The benefit of having those versatile guys as the backups means that the team can afford to keep all three rookies on the roster and let them develop.
Next: Defense and Special Teams