Predicting who will make the Seahawks 53-man roster in 2021
By Andy Excell
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Plenty to play for
Another quick update, after looking at the offensive side of the roster, we have six remaining spots to fill from 23 contenders on the defensive side.
Defensive tackle
Poona Ford, Al Woods, Rasheem Green and Bryan Mone look to have the four tackle spots nailed down for me. Leaving Myles Adams, Cedrick Lattimore, Robert Nkemdiche, Walter Palmore and Jarrod Hewitt on the outside looking in.
Unless one of these five outsiders really comes to the fore in preseason practices, then this is pretty much a certainty. If one of them does, then trading Green or Mone may be an option that opens up for the Seahawks.
Defensive ends/Linebackers
Between these positions, there were nine on the 2020 initial 53 man roster. So at most, there will be ten on the 2021 roster. I included Kerry Hyder, L.J.Collier, Carlos Dunlap, Benson Mayowa, Booby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks and Ben Burr-Kirven and Aldon Smith in my 40 certainties to make the 53 man roster.
This leaves one or two spots available unless Smith does not return to the fold in which case it is two or three spots available. Those vying for those spots are Alton Robinson, Cody Barton, John Rhattigan, Marcus Webb, Nate Evans and Aaron Donker.
Robinson and Barton made the roster in 2021, totaling 346 and 435 snaps respectively. The majority of Bartons snaps coming on special teams though. Webb and Evans did not feature in 2020 so face an uphill battle to make the roster in 2021. Aaron Donker is a recruit from the international development program, and the German linebacker is likely to be just that in 2021, developmental.
So Robinson and Barton have a great chance of making the 2021 roster unless John Rhattigan the rookie comes from the Army to take their spot. Rhattigan looks initially to be more of a special teams player, so is more of a threat to Barton than Robinson.
If the Seahawks decide to carry one fewer TEs they may include both in the 53 man roster, otherwise it will be Barton or Rhattigan joining Robinson on the roster.