3 Seahawks sleepers who could steal a key roster spot at training camp

If a player is in Seattle Seahawks training camp in 2024 and has not played a significant role in the NFL yet, they should be happy. Unlike in any training camp since 2011, players are not seeing the same coaching staff as the previous year. This means new opportunities to make the active 53-man roster.

Many players are locks, of course, DK Metcalf and Devon Witherspoon are not battling for roster spots. Many position groups still need to find backups, though.

The three players that follow are part of groups that need depth. They might not be fighting for starting spots (though one player surprisingly could), but they are efforting to receive a weekly paycheck. They might find themselves earning valuable reps during the season as well.

Three unsung Seahawks who could steal a roster spot in 2024

Running back George Holani

Holani is an extremely intriguing prospect with some potentially massive pitfalls. He is certainly fast enough to play in the NFL as a running back 0 he ran a 4.52 40 - and at 210 pounds he has enough girth to break arm tackles. In four of Holani's five college seasons, he averaged 5.2 yards a carry or more. He also dropped just four passes when targeted while he caught 88 for 777 yards and eight touchdowns.

The problem for Holani was two-fold. The worst of those two is that he got injured quite a bit and that affected three of his years. If the Seahawks are worried about keeping a player around who might get dinged up too easily, Holani won't make the team.

The running back also appeared to struggle in pass protection, though that might have had more to do with coaching. He has the size and strength to hold up there.

Holani's best hope is making Seattle as RB3. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet as the top two backs. This means the Boise State product could be in a battle with Kenny McIntosh and Kobe Lewis for not only a spot on the depth chart but for a place on the final roster.

Edge rusher Nelson Ceaser

If Darrell Taylor weren't so spectacularly awful in run defense then Ceaser might not be listed here. Taylor, though, has not shown in three seasons that he is capable of being able or willing to help against the run. As Mike Macdonald likes players who are versatile so he can better disguise him scheme, Taylor's lack of a well-rounded game might make him expendable.

Ceaser in no way has the athleticism of Taylor, but he does appear to be stronger. He started as a nose guard in college until he was moved outside. Once at edge rusher, his production grew incredibly as he had 23.5 tackles for loss over his final two seasons. He was fantastic against the run, but still able to chase down quarterbacks as his 13.5 sacks in 2022 and 2023 combined prove.

The reason Ceaser went undrafted is that he did not compare well to others at his position in terms of speed. There is little doubt he has the motor to play in the NFL and he will not quit on plays. Unlike Taylor, Ceaser won't want to simply play decently against the run, he will want to shut down the other team.

Guard McClendon Curtis

Curtis was on the roster in 2023, but except for one game, he was a healthy scratch. In other words, he appeared to be on the team simply to have someone be one of the seven players to be on the active roster but to be benched every game. In minicamp, however, Curtis got the first-team reps at right guard, not 2024 draft pick Christian Haynes.

Curtis is a long offensive lineman with long arms. He offers position flexibility as he can play tackle or guard. He might be helped in making the 2024 roster because right tackle Abraham Lucas still seems iffy to return. If and when Lucas comes back, there is no guarantee how long he will be able to stay healthy as he consistently struggles with a knee issue.

Curtis does seem to have balance issues, though. Sticking him at tackle against good edge rushers might mean they simply make Curtis into a turnstile on their way to whoever is playing quarterback for the Seahawks.

The other issue Curtis has is he has a bit more competition to be on the roster this year. Seattle chose Haynes, Sataoa Laumea, and Michael Jerrell in the draft. Curtis is young, too, but the new coaching staff might decide to go with the players they were involved in taking.

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