Seahawks vs. Vikings: Three players to watch for Seattle

The Seahawks play the Vikings on Friday. Here are three players to watch who could earn roster positions.

The Seahawks need to find quality depth in 2018. Plus, there are a few starting spots still open. This mostly hasn’t been the case for most of the last decade. Seattle knew who would be impact players for them before each season began.

But Seattle, as we all know, lost a bunch of proven talent this is offseason via trades or retirement or players being released. The Seahawks need answers. And game three of the preseason may be their last real chance at watching players prove they belong at certain spots. (Preseason game fours are usually games where only players looking to hang on in the NFL play much.)

Here are three players to watch for the Seahawks against the Vikings who could earn spots on the 53-man roster or find a role starting.

George Fant

Fant could earn the right to start at right tackle with a very good showing on Friday. Germain Ifedi has yet to prove that he can be a solid NFL tackle. Fant hasn’t played right tackle in a real NFL game yet, but was a left tackle before this year.

Ifedi has either been a penalty-machine or simply ineffective his entire career. Last week against the Chargers he was beaten on an edge rush at least three times.

The Seahawks like Fant’s potential. Seattle would still probably rather have Ifedi show he can be good. But the right tackle spot is in play and Fant could make it his to start week one.

Tre Flowers

Flowers is playing pretty well in preseason. His transformation from safety to cornerback is coming along much faster than even the Seahawks could have hoped for. That said, he is still a raw product, though one with great size and speed. He will be a starter in the NFL one day.

And if Flowers does well enough on Friday, that could be week one of the regular season. Byron Maxwell, who Seattle re-signed in the offseason, has been a little banged up. He was presumed to be the starter this year. But Flowers may have outplayed him. And Flowers could start long-term opposite left corner Shaquill Griffin.

Poona Ford

The Seahawks need pass rushers. They also need young run stopper who could be under contract for several seasons. Jarran Reed is entering the final year of his current contract.

As I wrote earlier this week, Ford will have a difficult time making the active roster, but with a great game on Friday, he might be hard to keep off the team.