3 position battles to watch for Seattle Seahawks in preseason Week 3

Seahawks edge rusher battle - Tyreke Smith versus Levi Bell

We probably have a pretty good idea of who the Seahawks want at edge rusher in 2023. Uchenna Nwosu, Darrell Taylor, Boye Mafe, and Derick Mafe are locks to make the team. Taylor, though, is battling a shoulder injury and there is no real timetable for his return currently. Going into the season already limping a bit is not good, but this is what Seattle seems to be doing right now.

Seattle could keep six edge rushers, but more than likely they will keep five. This could mean that there will be a real battle between 2022 draftee Smith and 2023 undrafted free agent Bell. Smith wasn't a high pick either. He was taken in the fifth round so Seattle doesn't likely feel the need to really hold on to him, especially if he is being outplayed by another player.

Bell was picked up as a UDFA by the Baltimore Ravens but didn't make the team and ended up joining the USFL where he played extremely well. But the USFL is clearly not the NFL so one cannot simply transpose their production there to the best football league ever created. But Bell has also been very good in the preseason so far.

Bell is also really fun to watch, with excellent lower body strength, and a clear willingness to do whatever he is asked and work hard at being successful. He's short, but strong. He will never be a three-down player for an NFL team, but he can create chaos at times. Smith? We just aren't sure.

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