Seahawks players who are on the hot seat following 2024 NFL Draft

With the 2024 NFL draft now complete, the Seattle Seahawks will look at their bloated roster and make decisions about who should stay and who should go. Seattle entered the draft with seven choices and finished with eight. General manager John Schneider appeared to be drafting for need as well.

For instance, he addressed the offensive line by taking guards Christian Haynes and Sataoa Laumea (who seemingly will transition from playing tackle at Utah) as well as tackle Michael Jerrell from Findlay. Schneider also chose two cornerbacks, both from Auburn, named D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett.

Taking eight players - the above as well as defensive tackle Byron Murphy II, tight end A.J. Barner, and linebacker Tyrice Knight - naturally causes some bloat among some position groups. The following veterans could be forced off the team due to that. They, as well as the rookies, need to prove their worth to new head coach Mike Macdonald and his coaching staff in training camp and the preseason.

These four Seattle Seahawks need to prove their worth again after the 2024 NFL draft

Cornerback Mike Jackson might need to be nervous

Mike Jackson has been a solid coverage corner when he has had a chance to play over the last two season. He started every game for Seattle in 2022 but lost his spot to Tre Brown (more on him later) because Brown might have had more of a knack to take the ball away. Brown is not a bad player, but he does not seem as fundamentally sound as Jackson. By the end of 2023, Jackson had regained his starting spot and was doing well.

Through the first part of the draft, the Seahawks seemed to be giving their cornerback group a vote of confidence but that implication left on the final day. Seattle chose two cornerbacks, both appear to be athletic and fast, and will be less expensive than Jackson. That is Jackson's biggest concern. Should he stay on the roster, he would make $3,116,000 but releasing him would cost Seattle nothing.

Guard Tremayne Anchrum might have a quick stay

Anchrum was signed this offseason to a quick negative reaction by 12s. He is probably a nice guy, but he has not yet been a starter in the NFL and does not seem capable of being. Even though he has been in the league for a few years, Seattle signed him for just a bit over the veteran minimum. He also only has $100,000 in guaranteed money and Seattle saves $1,055,000 by releasing him.

Anchrum played 96 snaps last year for the Los Angeles Rams, 91 more than in his previous two seasons combined. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), he was atrocious in run-blocking and only slightly better at trying to open holes for running backs. Seattle also took three offensive linemen in the 2024 draft, at least two of whom can play guard. Anchrum might be the odd man out in the rotation.

Receiver Dareke Young might need to be more nasty

Young had a better rookie season than he did in 2023 when he began the year injured and then lost his special teams shine to rookie Jerrick Reed II. Young does not really have a home on Seattle's roster as the team is not going to hold special teams spots only. Seattle did not take a receiver in the draft but has a bloated number at the spot already. While the team might keep five or six on the active 53-man roster, Young might be the seventh receiver currently.

What makes matters worse for Young, though, is that the Seahawks chose Auburn corners D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett and either of those players could displace Young on special teams. Likely both could. Releasing Young would only cost Seattle $50,550 in dead money.

Cornerback Tre Brown needs to earn his spot (again)

Brown is in the same proverbial boat as Jackson, but he would not cost the team as much to keep. Releasing Brown saves $1,055,000 as opposed to the $3 million of saving should Seattle move on from Jackson. Still, Seattle did not choose two cornerbacks for the fun of it. They hope both Pritchett and James can make the team.

Seattle has a few too many corners now. Artie Burns is also on the team as well as Devon Witherspoon and Riq Woolen, of course. Replacing Brown and Jackson with Pritchett and James is definitely a possibility. Brown just needs to attack training camp and the preseason as he has in his previous years with the Seahawks in order to try to keep his roster spot.