3 unsung Seahawks who proved they deserved a roster spot in the preseason

The Seattle Seahawks' preseason is done. There is very little else to offer coaches and general manager John Schneider as far as insight into who should make the active 53-man roster. Roster cuts must be finalized by Tuesday at 1 pm PT.

The preseason games did allow some players to prove that even though they might have been longer shots than others to make the team, they deserved their spot. Other players, such as quarterback PJ Walker, probably showed they should not even be signed to the practice squad.

Of the three players that follow, one is probably still unlikely to make the team, though he should make a team somewhere. The other team will probably not only make the squad but could play important roles for Seattle once the real games begin.

Three under-the-radar Seahawks who proved they deserved a roster spot in 2024

Tight end Brady Russell

Russell played in 15 games for the Seahawks in 2023, but there was certainly no guarantee that he would make the 2024 roster. Seattle lost Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson in free agency, but the team signed Pharaoh Brown this offseason and drafted AJ Barner. Plus, Seattle re-signed TE1 Noah Fant. Keeping only three tight ends was a real possibility.

Brady Russell had one of the best preseasons of any Seattle player, though. He was solid again on special teams, but he also caught five passes for 47 yards. One was a nifty 13-yard touchdown catch and run where Russell had to shake a couple of defenders. He also had a nice grab on the sidelines in preseason Week 2 that proved he has the hands capable of helping in the pass offense.

While Russell did play for Seattle last year, he was rarely used on offense and got fewer than 20 total snaps. Most of his work came on special teams. In 2024, Russell will still be productive in the third phase of the game, but he should see the field more as a receiving tight end as well.

Edge rusher Jamie Sheriff

Sheriff still might not make the active roster, but he was certainly helped by the Seahawks trading Darrell Taylor ahead of preseason Week 3. This opened up more room on the depth chart for other edge rushers. The fact that Sheriff has any chance of making the team is shocking. He didn't play in most of training camp as he was not signed until August 6.

Sheriff was delivering beer for Southern Beverage Company in Mississippi when he got the call from Seattle to join the team through the preseason. This was well after he did not get taken in the 2024 draft and was not signed by anyone as an undrafted free agent. One might wonder if the playing career was done.

While Sheriff is a great story and hopefully he finds a home somewhere in the NFL if he doesn't make the active roster, he has been extremely productive in the preseason. He had five quarterback hits, three sacks, and appeared to put constant pressure on quarterbacks. He isn't going to start, of course, but maybe he takes Taylor's place on the depth chart and plays the run better than Taylor ever could.

Running back George Holani

Holani is going to make the active roster, surely. He was a UDFA for a reason out of college, but that had nothing to do with on-field production and everything to do with getting injured a bit. While Holani has gotten a bit dinged up in the preseason, he also gets back on the field quickly and shows off immense versatility.

The running back has proven he can be good in pass protection and that is a must for a young player trying to get reps. If a running back cannot pass-block, and unless they have the high-end skills of Kenneth Walker III, then the back isn't going to play.

Holani has proven he can grind out tough yards as well. He isn't the burner that Walker is, but few backs are. If something happens to Walker and his immediate backup, Zach Charbonnet, and Holani had to play, the Seahawks should know they have someone who can pick up third downs and short yardage situations and also catch the ball a bit, all the while making sure the quarterback does not get hit.

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