Seahawks roster projection: Version 5.0, our final guess

Defense

Defensive Line (9):

Starters: DE Michael Bennett, DT Ahtyba Rubin, DT Jarran Reed, DE Cliff Avril

Backups: Frank Clark, Nazair Jones, Cassius Marsh, David Bass and Quinton Jefferson

NFI: Malik McDowell

Toughest Cuts: Garrison Smith and Christian French

Summary: I have no changes to this group. There are at least five locks in this unit to make the team. Most of the others are close to that. Jefferson, if he stays healthy, will see a lot of action as a backup. Bass did not do anything against the Chiefs to make him not be on the roster.

Linebacker (6):

Starters: Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright

Backups: Michael Wilhoite, Terence Garvin, D.J. Alexander and Marcus Smith

Toughest Cuts: Dewey McDonald and Mike Morgan

Summary: I am adding two linebackers to this projection. After watching the Seahawks special teams coverage not do great things on Friday, I see Alexander making the team. He has been out for a little bit, but based on his Pro Bowl experience in 2016 he should be fine.

Smith saw a lot of snaps with the first-team defense against the Chiefs. The Seahawks clearly want to work him in and he played well.

Morgan has been a disappointment in his return. And McDonald has done good things. There is just no room for him with this group of linebackers.

Cornerbacks (5):

Starters: Richard Sherman and Jeremy Lane

Backups: Shaquill Griffin, Tramaine Brock and Neiko Thorpe

PUP: DeShawn Shead

Toughest Cuts: Mike Tyson DeAndre Elliott and Pierre Desir

Summary: This is the unit I have the largest amount of changes from my last projection. I now think the Seahawks go with five cornerbacks and not six. The reason for this is because the players expected to get the most snaps, Lane and Sherman and Griffin, have looked like a solid core.

Brock still plays too far off receivers at the line, but he had a really good game after his first series on Friday. His experience will help him stick on the roster and allow Seattle to trust him.

Thorpe versus Desir? That could go either way. I think Thorpe stays and Desir leaves because Thorpe is more familiar with the Seahawks’ system.

Safeties (4):

Starters: Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas

Backups: Delano Hill and Bradley McDougald

Toughest Cut: Tedric Thompson

Summary: I have given up on my hope that McDougald would be more involved in nickel packages. For this reason, I think Thompson goes. The rookie simply has not done enough to prove he should be on the active roster. If Seattle cuts him, chances are Thompson will get snapped up and not be available for the practice squad.