Seahawks 53-man roster projection post minicamp

Defense

This defense doesn’t look as good as the seasons between 2012 and 2015. One reason is that there will be a lot of youth and unknowns. This isn’t a bad thing and Carroll will like a young and feisty defense. But youth can also lead to breakdowns in coverage and missed gap reads. For Seattle to go deep in the postseason, the defense needs to be better than in 2018.

Defensive line

Starters: Ziggy Ansah, Al Woods, Jarran Reed and L.J. Collier

Backups at end: Cassius Marsh, Jacob Martin, Rasheem Green

Backups at tackle: Poona Ford, Quinton Jefferson

Cuts: Nazair Jones, Branden Jackson, Demarcus Christmas, among others

There is a lot of potential on the line, but that potential could be good or bad. The line could be great against the run with Ford and Woods helping Reed. And the edge rushers, and I am listing Martin here instead of at linebacker because I think he will see more snaps at end, could be explosive.

But then things could go very badly. Reed could come nowhere near his 2018 production. Ansah could get hurt again early on and be a non-factor. Collier could be too raw to actually help in his rookie season.

Linebackers

Starters: Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright

Backups: Mychal Kendricks, Cody Barton, Shaquem Griffin and Ben Burr-Kirven

Cuts: Barkevious Mingo, Austin Calitro

The top three linebackers, Wagner, Wright and Kendricks, form most likely the best trio of linebackers on any one team in the NFL. After that, Seattle has a lot of potential. I like Barton and Burr-Kirven a lot. Both are hungry and play with a chip on the shoulders, just like Carroll wants it. Griffin makes the team over Mingo because releasing Mingo means the Seahawks will save $4.1 million against the cap in 2019.

Cornerbacks

Starters: Tre Flowers, Shaquill Griffin and Akeem King

Backups: Neiko Thorpe and Kalan Reed

I am listing three starters at corner because Flowers and Griffin will be out wide and King will cover the slot. The depth at corner is pretty thin, though, so the starters have to be good. If King doesn’t work out, I still think there is a chance that Lano Hill slides down to that spot or rookie Ugo Amadi takes over. Reed is here for a veteran presence. But the last two years, slot corner has been manned well by Justin Coleman. Losing him could be huge. Griffin needs to be better than in 2018 and Flowers could develop into a Pro Bowl player.

Safeties

Starters: Bradley McDougald and Tedric Thompson (for now)

Backups: Ugo Amadi, Marquise Blair, Lano Hill and Shalom Luani

The Seahawks probably don’t like the idea of starting week one with five safeties as the team usually goes with four. But there is simply too much inexperience to have just four to begin the season. That said, this group can be really good. If Blair develops as expected, he will take Thompson’s spot as the starter early in the season. Amadi could play the slot. This means during the season Seattle could release Luani or Thompson or Hill and bring on another player at a position of more need. McDougald is good but he is the only safety currently where Seattle knows what they are going to get as far as production.