Seattle Seahawks 53-man roster projection after the 2024 NFL draft

The 2024 NFL draft is done and the Seattle Seahawks added eight new players. Not every one of these players will make the team, of course, but the likelihood is that the majority of them will which means some players previously on the team will need to go. Seattle could still add a free agent or two so the roster might change even more.

Teams have to cut their rosters down to 53 players ahead of Week 1. Through then, rosters will be bloated. After signing undrafted free agents, Seattle currently has more than 30 players they cannot keep. Some of those will make it onto the practice squad but not the active roster.

The biggest questions for general manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald might be how many offensive linemen and defensive linemen to keep. This will affect other position groups, of course. Below is a guess following the draft of which 53 players will be on the team in Week 1.

Who will be on the Seattle Seahawks roster ahead of Week 1 of the 2024 season

Quarterbacks (2)

Starter: Geno Smith
Backup: Sam Howell

Seattle did bring in Chevan Cordeiro to take a look at, but teams with experienced quarterbacks usually only keep two active on the roster. Smith is going to be QB1 and Howell is his backup. Cordeiro might make the practice squad and that would be fine. NFL teams can have a third quarterback on the sidelines, even if they aren't on the active roster, in case the first two QBs get hurt.

Running backs (4)

Starter: Kenneth Walker III
Backups: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, Rashaad Penny

Walker is clearly the starter and might have a huge 2024 as offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb likely knows how to use him for maximum production. Charbonnet is clearly RB2 and then McIntosh should hope to get a few snaps at running back in an average game. Penny isn't on the team currently but Seattle brought him in for a visit last week and he would bring talented depth without the expectation of having to play a lot.

Wide receivers (6)

Starters: DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Backups: Jake Bobo, Laviska Shenault, Jr., Dee Eskridge

The first three receivers are set; maybe the top four including Bobo. After that, there are a lot of options. Seattle could go with only five receivers, but having two players who can return kickoffs would be a good thing with the new kickoff rule. Both Shenault and Eskridge have that ability, and the Seahawks did not take a receiver in the draft.

Tight ends (3)

Starter: Noah Fant
Backups: Pharaoh Brown, A.J. Barner

This group is set, but the structure of the room should mean Fant sees a lot of targets in the passing game. Brown and Barner are mostly blockers. Fant could see 80 targets and get 60 catches in 2024.

Offensive line (10)

Starters: LT Charles Cross, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Olu Oluwatimi, RG Christian Haynes, RT Abe Lucas
Backups: Anthony Bradford, George Fant, Michael Jerrell, Nick Harris, Tremayne Anchrum, Jr.

Carrying 10 offensive linemen might be a bit much, but Seattle normally carries about nine, and having a tenth allows there to be experienced depth on an otherwise young group. Anchrum may not make the team, but at least he can play either guard spot. Haynes should supplant Bradford as the starter at right guard. Stone Forsythe might hang around as a tackle but after signing Fant as a free agent this offseason and drafting Jerrell, Forsythe seems like an unneeded piece.

Defensive line (7)

Starters: DE Leonard Williams, DT Byron Murphy II, DT Jarran Reed, DE Dre'Mont Jones
Backups: Johnathan Hankins, Mike Morris, Cam Young

The top four seem set. Some on social media have criticized the Seahawks for taking Murphy in the first round as he "might not be a starter," but that makes zero sense. Head coach Mike Macdonald will transition Seattle back to a 4-3 front and Murphy will definitely start.

Morris probably hangs around on the roster due to his history with Macdonald at Michigan in 2021. Young might take a step forward in 2024, too.

Edge rushers (4)

Starters: Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe
Backups: Darrell Taylor, Derick Hall

It is telling that Seattle did not take a pure edge rusher in the draft. That appears to signal that they are happy with the players they already have. Mafe and Nwosu should be dynamic, but Taylor and Hall vastly need to improve, especially against the run. If they do not, they will likely not be on the team in 2025.

Inside linebackers (4)

Starters: Tyrel Dodson, Jerome Baker
Backups: Tyrice Knight, Jon Rhattigan

The only question mark here might be Rhattigan. Dodson and Baker were signed this offseason as they are good in coverage and great fits in Macdonald's system. Knight was a fourth-round draft pick in 2024 and would have to be terrible in training camp to not make the team.

Cornerbacks (6)

Starters (in a 4-2-5): Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Mike Jackson
Backups: Tre Brown, D.J. James, Nehemiah Pritchett

There might be one extra cornerback here, but both James and Pritchett were 2024 draft picks and both offer versatility. They bring speed and athleticism if only to special teams. If the Seahawks go with five corners, Brown or Jackson could be the odd man out. Releasing Jackson would save the team a bit over $3 million.

Safeties (4)

Starters: Julian Love, Rayshawn Jenkins
Backups: Jerrick Reed II, K'Von Wallace

The biggest roster battle here could be Reed, who will be coming off an injury, versus Coby Bryant. I have Reed here because when healthy he was fantastic on special teams and will only be entering his second season. Seattle could also potentially re-sign Quandre Diggs or Jamal Adams at safety.

Special teams (3)

Kicker: Jason Myers
Punter: Michael Dickson
Long snapper: Chris Stoll

There is no drama here. All of these players are good at what they do and all are signed beyond 2024. If Myers has a bad first half of 2024, however, he might need a replacement sooner than the others.