Seahawks pre-training camp 53-man roster predictions
By Lee Vowell
Offense
The Seahawks offense is pretty set at this point and that is a good thing. Seattle should be able to score a lot of points this year should everyone stay healthy. In fact, the offense, with the correct direction from offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, is probably good enough to win a Super Bowl.
Quarterback
Starter: Russell Wilson (Duh!)
Backup: Geno Smith
Seattle does also have undrafted free agent rookie Anthony Gordon, but Gordon’s chances of making the team are limited by the fact he hasn’t been able to show the Seahawks what he can do this offseason because of the COVID-19 effect. Smith will be the backup and that is OK because he is decent enough to win some games.
But the Seahawks rise and fall on the health of Russell Wilson. If Wilson stays healthy once again, Seattle should go deep in the playoffs.
Running back
Starter: Chris Carson
Backups: Carlos Hyde, DeeJay Dallas, Tavis Homer, Nick Bellore
PUP: Rashaad Penny
Hyde was acquired this offseason and is Carson-lite. Carson is better back, stronger and younger. But Hyde is an excellent backup. After Hyde, though, the production would fall off. Homer was forced to play at the end of 2019 after Carson and Penny were injured and showed he might be a decent third-down back but he isn’t going to be a starter. Dallas is a rookie who adds quality to special teams. Bellore is good on special teams and the only fullback Seattle has.
Penny will start on PUP and when he returns Homer or Dallas will likely be let go.
Receivers
Starters: Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf and Phillip Dorsett
Backups: John Ursua, Josh Gordon and Freddie Swain
Lockett and Metcalf are locks to start. Dorsett is a veteran who Seattle should be able to trust to play the slot. I think that Gordon gets reinstated and Seattle signs him before week one. He would add great quality to the group and should be targeted more in 2020 than he was in 2019.
Swain makes the team over David Moore because of his ability to return kicks. Ursua could be the starter in the slot in 2021.
Tight ends
Starter: Greg Olsen
Backups: Will Dissly, Luke Willson, Jacob Hollister
PUP: Colby Parkinson
Dissly appears to possibly be ready for week one of the 2020 season after being injured early in 2019 for the second year in a row. But I think Olsen starts and adds great value as a third down option for Russell Wilson. Hollister comes in on passing downs and Willson will play special teams and can block decently.
Parkinson broke his foot this offseason and will likely start on the PUP list.
Offensive line
Starters: Left tackle Duane Brown, left guard Mike Iupati, center B.J. Finney, right guard Damien Lewis, right tackle Brandon Shell
Backups: Chance Warmack, Jamarco Jones, Phil Haynes, Joey Hunt
The offensive line in Seattle for 2020 will once again have a lot of question marks. Brown is very good, though aging. But will Iupati lose his job to younger players like Haynes? Can Shell be better than Germain Ifedi was in his Seahawks seasons? Can Lewis step in week one as a rookie and block well enough to open holes for the backs and keep Wilson upright?
I think Ethan Pocic gets cut instead of Hunt. Hunt can only play center but he also knows the offense extremely well and should Finney falter, Hunt can step in and call out the offensive line plays.
The Seahawks are good at skill positions but the line could keep Seattle from reaching its potential. Again.