Seahawks: A way-too-early 53 man roster prediction
By Keith Myers
It is way too early to try and predict which players will make the final 53 man roster for the Seattle Seahawks, but we try and do so anyways.
With OTAs over for the Seattle Seahawks, it is time to take a stab at predicting what the 53 man roster might look like. This is an exercise that is always tougher than it sounds, especially when I temporarily forget how to add.
Ultimately, I like the way the roster is shaping up. There’s some quality talent that’ll be battling to make the back end of the roster. That is exactly the kind of depth you want to have in the NFL.
Offense (25)
QB (2): Russell Wilson, Trevone Boykin
RB (4): Thomas Rawls, Alex Collins, CJ Prosise, Christine Michael
FB (1): Brandon Cottom
TE (3): Jimmy Graham, Nick Vannett, Luke Willson
WR (6): Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett, Paul Richardson, Kenny Lawler, Kasen Williams
OL (9): Gary Gilliam, Mark Glowinki, Justin Britt, Germain Ifedi, Ja’Marcus Webb, Patrick Lewis, Bradley Sowell, Rees Odhiambo, Kristjan Sokoli
There were some very tough decisions here. First and foremost was trying to figure out if the Seahawks would keep Christine Michael over a seventh WR. Ultimately I figured they would, but I don’t feel all that comfortable about it prediction.
The logic behind the choice was fairly straight forward. Jimmy Graham makes an extra WR much less valuable, as does CJ Prosise. Plus, Rawls isn’t fully heathy, and the other two backs are both rookies. Add in that the Seahawks like to run the ball more than they pass it, and I settled on them keeping the extra runner.
The other big decision was keeping wide receivers Kenny Lawler and Kasen Williams over guys like Kevin Smith and Douglas McNeil. There is simply no way to handicap that race, as all four have quality skills.
The offensive line was easier to pick than expected. The talent level drops off a cliff after the nine listed. The only two that might stand a chance are Joey Hunt and Terry Poole.
Poole looked lost in training camp last year, and Hunt is very undersized for Cable’s scheme. I have hope for both of them, but until I see them in practice I’m not betting on either making the final roster.
Defense (25)
DL (9): Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Jarran Reed, Ahtyba Rubin, Cassius Marsh, Frank Clark, Quinton Jefferson, Jordan Hill, Ryan Robinson
LB (6): KJ Wright, Bobby Wagner, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Eric Pinkins, Brock Coyle, Mike Morgan
DB (10): Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Brandon Browner, Kam Chancellor, Jeremy Lane, Tharold Simon, DeShawn Shead, Tye Smith, Kelcie McCray, Tyvis Powell
Look closely and you’ll think that I forgot someone. Sadly, is wasn’t an oversight that led to Chris Clemons not being listed. His tape from last season was poor, and he doesn’t play special teams. At this point I think we need to start preparing ourselves that age has caught up with him.
Instead, I have the Seahawks keeping Ryan Robinson, who was a standout last offseason before tearing his Achilles. His quickness will be an asset that I don’t think the Seahawks can leave off the roster.
Brandon Browner’s presence meant keeping only six linebackers. The Seahawks figure to use their nickel and bandit packages much more this season, so the seventh LB was traded for extra defensive back.
The DB that benefitted from that switch was Tyvis Powell. Having watched some of his college tape, I think Seahawks fans are going to love him.
Specialists (3)
K: Steven Hauschka
P: Jon Ryan
LS: Drew Ferris
There’s no surprises here, provided you remember that Clint Gresham was cut. The Seahawks have a new long-snapper, and he’s the only one on the roster.
Next: Will Frank Clark end up leading Seattle in sacks next season?
So there’s my super early prediction. What choices do you think I got the most wrong? We all know this won’t be how it actually looks in Week 1.