Final Seahawks 53-man roster projection as cut-down day looms

Following the Seahawks' third and final preseason game on Saturday, an oddly exciting 37-33 win against the Cleveland Browns, Mike Macdonald and the Seahawks have until Tuesday, August 27 to trim down their 90-man roster to only 53.

Many locks to make the team hardly took any snaps in the preseason, but those on the fringe of the roster got in plenty of tryout snaps in Seattle's three exhibition games. For some, these three games were a true showcase of their talent in hopes of making the team, but for others, the three games proved to be the nail in the coffin for their future in Seattle.

After assessing all three preseason games, it's still not extremely clear from a viewer's perspective who will survive the cuts, but it's always worth attempting to predict. Here is how I think the 53-man roster should, and will ultimately looking like come Tuesday.

Final prediction for who makes the Seattle Seahawks 2024 active 53-man roster

Quarterback (2):

Geno Smith
Sam Howell

Just as they always do it, the Seahawks will roll with two quarterbacks on the active roster. If PJ Walker passes waivers, which I think is unlikely, I'm sure Seattle would love to have him on the practice squad for emergency situations.

However, the clear winner of the preseason, Sam Howell earns the backup job in 2024 after Seattle gave up a third-round pick for the young quarterback in March. Seattle will surely carry a third quarterback on the practice squad for emergency situations and gameday call-ups.

Running Back (4):

Ken Walker III
Zach Charbonnet
Kenny McIntosh
George Holani

The two feature backs for Seattle were never in question, but the depth behind them was a bit of a question mark entering the preseason. It's safe to say the running back depth was one of the strengths of the entire team in their three preseason games. Second-year man who missed all of last season, Kenny McIntosh, was as advertised out of Georgia and validated his many supporters.

Holani, a rookie out of Boise State, was a surprise star this preseason. Seattle may keep five running backs, due to the injury history at the position, but these are the four that I believe survive cut day on Tuesday. Rookie Kobe Lewis out of Florida Atlantic is a name to keep an eye out for on the practice squad.

Wide Receiver (6)

DK Metcalf
Tyler Lockett
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Jake Bobo
Laviska Shenault
Easop Winston, Jr.

Wide receiver is a tough position to call after this preseason. As a Seahawks fan, you wanted to see Dareke Young and Dee Eskridge develop, but the preseason didn't do them many favors. Eskridge had himself some fantastic returns, but didn't provide much in terms of receiving, blocking, or covering kicks.

Easop Winston Jr. was a monster on the field on offense and seemed to have built a decent rapport with quarterback Sam Howell. His receiving and route-running alone earn him the 6th and final wide receiver spot, while Young and Eskridge could possibly clear waivers and end up on the practice squad.

Tight End (4)

Noah Fant
Pharaoh Brown
AJ Barner
Brady Russell

Brady Russell absolutely played his way into a roster spot this preseason, becoming a fan favorite. AJ Barner was mostly awol for the preseason, but cutting loose a fourth-round rookie would be irresponsible.

Pharaoh Brown suffered a minor injury in the second preseason game, but on such a team-friendly deal, I believe he will remain on the team for his blocking efficiency and underrated pass-catching ability. Tyler Mabry was a player on the fringe of earning a roster spot, but there are far more pressing needs on this roster than a fifth tight end.

Offensive Line (10)

Charles Cross
Christian Haynes
Connor Williams
Anthony Bradford
Abraham Lucas
George Fant
Olu Oluwatimi
Laken Tomlinson
Stone Forsythe
Jalen Sundell

I think it's pretty imperative the Seahawks keep 10 or more offensive linemen on the active roster. The starting five isn't even really set, with the guard positions still competing for the starting job come week 1, and starting center Connor Williams yet to play a rep for the team. I think Seattle will hold onto almost all available bodies who can step in during gameday at a moment's notice.

I do believe rookie Satao Laumea will be cut, but assuming he clears waivers, Seattle would be thrilled to have him on the practice squad and available for gameday call-ups. Jalen Sundell really impressed me this preseason with both his production and versatility on the line, earning him a spot on the roster.

Defensive Line (6)

Leonard Williams
Byron Murphy II
Jarran Reed
Johnathan Hankins
Dre'Mont Jones
Mike Morris

The main decision to be made here is choosing Mike Morris over Myles Adams. I'm actually a big fan of Adams, who can play both inside and outside the gaps. However, Mike Morris, the second-year man out of Michigan, just has too much upside to cut on Tuesday.

He missed almost all of his rookie season with injury but looks big, athletic, and disruptive this preseason. His connection with new head coach Mike Macdonald doesn't hurt his chances, either. There is a real possibility they keep more than six defensive linemen, but I think they utilize the extra space at the linebacker position.

Linebacker (8)

Jerome Baker
Tyrel Dodson
Michael Barrett
Tyrice Knight
Uchenna Nwosu
Boye Mafe
Derick Hall
Trevis Gipson

Linebacker is absolutely the biggest question mark heading into the regular season. We hardly saw the two incumbent off-ball starters in Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson, two newcomers, in the preseason. Seattle traded for inside linebacker rookie Michael Barrett just last week. And Tyrice Knight, who looked fairly decent in the preseason, is still a rookie.

Ultimately, the off-ball linebackers are incredibly unknown. The strength of this unit is the 3-4 outside linebackers, like Nwosu, Mafe, Hall, and Trevis Gipson, acquired this week via trade. The wildcard in this position group is Jamie Shariff, who I believe played well enough to earn a contract, but it won't be with Seattle.

Cornerback (5)

Tariq Woolen
Devon Witherspoon
Tre Brown
Nehemiah Pritchett
D.J. James

This is probably the easiest position to call -- it's the strength of the defense. The three starters are Woolen, Witherspoon, and Brown. And the two rookies out of Auburn will provide depth if needed, as well as production on special teams.

I do think Seattle ends up storing Dee Williams, who had a really nice offseason and preseason, on the practice squad with the availability to be called up on gamedays. Carlton Johnson also had a nice camp, but ultimately will not be worth a roster spot in such a deep group.

Safety (5)

Rayshawn Jenkins
Julian Love
K'Von Wallace
Coby Bryant
Jerrick Reed II

Safety isn't exactly a strength on this roster, but it's relatively black and white to who will and won't make Tuesday's roster cuts. The two starters figure to be Jenkins and Love, while Wallace and Bryant will compete for the dime safety position.

Jerrick Reed doesn't have enough reps for us to truly know what he offers as a deep safety, but his value on special teams justifies a roster spot. Marquise Blair may be a fun project on the practice squad, but he just looks too slow and out of place to give him a spot on the active roster.

Special Teams (3)

K Jason Myers
P Michael Dickson
LS Chris Stoll

After an inconspicuous start to the preseason in which Jason Myers missed extra points in two straight games, Myers put all our concerns to rest on Saturday night when he made every extra point and went 3-for-3 in field goal attempts, including a 51-yarder and a 58-yarder. Hopefully, Myers will live up to his large contract as Seattle doesn't seem to have a contingency plan behind Myers. Dickson and Stoll have been locks since the first day of camp, so no surprises there.

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