Seahawks players fighting for their roster spot after the 2024 NFL draft

The Seattle Seahawks, like every NFL team, currently has a bloated roster. This is how it should be, of course, after an NFL draft. Teams do not have to make final 53-man roster decisions until just before Week 1 of the regular season.

Some players should feel secure about their jobs after what Seattle did in the 2024 draft. For instance, general manager John Schneider did not take a quarterback or an edge rusher. This had to make Geno Smith and Darrell Taylor happy.

Some players should feel a bit nervous, though. Three of them follow. They might be simply in danger of falling deeply on the depth chart or possibly even losing their jobs completely.

Three Seattle Seahawks fighting for their 2024 roster spots

Right guard Anthony Bradford

Bradford is entering his second season with the Seahawks and as a rookie, he was not very good. Of course, expecting any rookie to come into the NFL and be immediately proficient is rare so maybe one should not be so harsh toward Bradford. Still, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Bradford was graded as one of the worst guards in the league in pass protection and he allowed 28 total pressures on 419 pass block snaps. That's bad.

In Weeks 14 and 15, Bradford allowed a total of five pressures in each game. He allowed four pressures in two other different games. Maybe he can play better under new offensive line coach Scott Huff, but that only involves potential. And potential is something one has before they accomplish anything.

Bradford's worst issue is that Seattle drafted two players who could push him down the depth chart. Third-round pick Christian Haynes appears NFL-ready and is likely going to be given the best chance to start at right guard. Sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea will be transitioning to guard but seems to have the traits to be a good player along the interior of the offensive line eventually.

Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins

Hankins was only signed this offseason and he most recently played under new Seahawks defensive coordinator Aden Durde with the Dallas Cowboys. Hankins has seen diminishing results for several years now and his run defense has been a large problem. The issue is that Seattle signed Hankins partially because they think he can help stop the run.

To begin his career, Hankins got elite run defense grades, according to Pro Football Focus. Since 2021, though, he has been among the worst in the league in that aspect. Instead, Hankins has been fairly productive in terms of pass rush with 3 sacks in 2023. He still does not get consistent pressure as he only has a combined 21 pressures over the last three seasons.

The Seahawks hope that Cam Young and Mike Morris can improve in their second seasons, though Morris missed most of his rookie year with an injury. Young is the more natural interior player. Seattle also chose Byron Murphy II in the first round so he is definitely going to take Hankins reps. Sure, it's best to have a rotation of interior defensive lineman, but should Hankins not make the team, Seattle would save $1,660,000.

Cornerback Tre Brown

Brown has several issues ahead of him. While he has been good in coverage in spurts, he also has an injury history in his short NFL career. Speaking of short, Brown relatively is for a cornerback and this causes his matchups against bigger receivers to be a negative for Seattle's defense. The cornerback could conceivably play in the slot, but then Devon Witherspoon plays there and Brown is not going to supplant Witherspoon.

Brown would be in a position battle with Mike Jackson already, but Seattle chose two cornerbacks, Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James, this year. Now Seattle has too many cornerbacks and none appear able to be moved to safety. Moving on from Brown would only save Seattle $1 million, but his being gone would open up a roster spot for James or Pritchett.

More Seattle Seahawks news and analysis