Predicting who makes Seahawks 55 – yes 55 – man roster for Week 1
By Lee Vowell
Rest of the offense
Running backs – Rashaad Penny, Kenneth Walker III (Ken!), Chris Carson (?), DeeJay Dallas, Nick Bellore and Travis Homer
It was very disappointing that for the first day of OTAs this week, and when players can’t tackle each other, Penny was held out due to a hamstring issue. 12s already are nervous about him being counted on to be the main back so why not just let him do a drill or two instead of fans thinking, “Here we go again.”
I doubt Carson plays again. Walker could be the starter by the end of the year. Bellore does too many good things not to be on the team. Dallas and Homer, especially Homer, are good special teamers and should be on the roster just for that.
Wide Receivers – Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Dee Eskridge and Freddie Swain
I do have one other receiver on this list but have him listed under special teams. These four seem pretty set but the hope is Eskridge takes a huge step forward in his second year. There is a chance that recently signed Marquise Goodwin beats out Swain but I think Seattle plays it safe and keeps Swain.
Metcalf and Lockett are no-brainers, of course, and need to have terrific seasons for Seattle to be any good offensively.
Tight ends – Noah Fant, Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson
This group is set. Fant should replace and exceed the production that Gerald Everett had with the Seahawks in 2021. Dissly is likely to be a bigger part of the offense after signing a huge free-agent deal this offseason. Parkinson shows promise to be a decent receiver but has yet to consistently prove he can be.
Offensive line – Charles Cross, Damien Lewis, Austin Blythe, Gabe Jackson, Abe Lucas, Jake Curhan, Stone Forsythe, Dakoda Shepley, Phil Haynes and Kyle Fuller
The first five guys listed are who I think will start. This probably means that Seattle’s O-line is much better by the end of the season but really iffy to begin it. Rookies, like Cross and Lucas, need time to mature and get used to the speed of the NFL. The depth here is just OK, except for Fuller who is so bad I don’t know why Seattle brought him back.