3 Seahawks who locked up roster spot in Preseason Week 1 versus Chargers

The Seattle Seahawks used a dominant defensive performance against the Los Angeles Chargers in the team's first preseason game of 2024 to win 16-3. But let's be real. A win or a loss in a preseason game is meaningless. The important part is how well players execute and which players that need to step up to earn a roster spot stand out.

Through the first three quarters of the Chargers game, being too nit-picky toward the Seahawks is unfair. Los Angeles did not have 100 total yards on offense entering the fourth quarter. Offensively, Seattle was so vanilla, and playing without Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, that there was an expected lack of explosiveness.

Three players trying to earn a spot on the bottom of the roster certainly did their best to prove they belong, though. Besides those three players that follow, a couple of others of note who did well were inside linebackers Jon Rhattigan and Tyrice Knight. Both were already expected to make the team with Rhattigan maybe the most nervous. Seattle's depth at ILB looks strong.

Three Seahawks who likely locked up their 2024 roster spots with their play in preseason Week 1

Wide receiver Laviska Shenault, Jr.

Shenault was signed this offseason to most likely be a kick returner. He had flashed that ability in the two previous seasons when he was with the Carolina Panthers. He only had nine total returners, but they went for an average of 27.7 yards. Shenault's pass receiving numbers had digressed quite a bit from his first two years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, though.

Still, with the NFL's new kickoff rules and the potential that teams could get much better field position - this was certainly the case for both the Seahawks and Chargers in preseason Week 1 as both teams had splash plays on kickoff returns - Shenault had a decent chance of making the Seahawks roster if he had a good preseason as a returner.

Against Los Angeles, Shenault certainly took advantage of his one return as that went for 44 yards, but he also caught two passes (on three targets) for 31 yards. The receiver will not be among Seattle's top four in terms of targets during the season, but he at least could help for depth catching passes while being a weapon as a returner.

Safety Coby Bryant

Bryant wasn't credited with a tackle but he was quite active on the 19 snaps he played. This included a pass defended as well as an interception on a tipped ball. The fact that Bryant only got 19 snaps is likely an indication that the Seahawks assume Bryant is going to make the team as backup safety, but his play only enhanced that reasoning.

Bryant even showed a bit of wiggle after he picked the ball off. In the past, he hasn't shown any fear of sticking his helmet in to try to make a tackle defending the run. Seattle's top three safeties are set with Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins, and K'Von Wallace, but Seattle will probably keep four or five safeties and Bryant should be one of them.

Running back Kenny McIntosh

The question with McIntosh is how many running backs Seattle plans to keep. That number will likely be no more than four and might only be three. The top two spots are going to be Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. This leaves McIntosh and George Holani potentially battling for the final spot.

Holani did not look bad against the Chargers. He had an 11-yard scamper for a touchdown and also had a perfect block on the outside that helped spring receiver Dee Eskridge on a 22-yard jet sweep. Holani also got stuffed on a fourth-and-goal run from the one-yard line when he seemed to misread his blockers and did not follow the push.

McIntosh saw most of the early work, however. He finished with eight carries and the fact he started over Holani implies where the Seahawks see him on the depth chart. The former George Bulldog showed some zip and a bit of power as he averaged 5 yards a rush. He also caught two passes but for only one yard. Still, he provided enough proof that he can be slippery and quick that he should make the roster.

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