There were no major surprises when the Seattle Seahawks cut their roster down to the required 53-man limit on Sunday. Why would there be? General manager John Schneider had assembled the best roster in the league in 2025.
Free agency and injuries created a few obvious holes, but there wasn’t a lot of room for unknowns to crash the party. Schneider probably had more challenging decisions choosing his practice squad than his final roster.
Still, there were some minor tweaks. A trade in the secondary. A PUP list decision. Figuring out how many tight ends and quarterbacks the team could realistically stash on the roster. So in the end, there weren’t really any head-scratchers, but actually seeing the choices written down in ink does offer some insight into how the Hawks view certain players on the roster.
We will rank each player, from 53 down to 1. This is partly based on how good the player is right now, and partly on how important he is to the team’s overall success this season. You’ll get a sense from the cleverly crafted tier names. (Not all of which were crafted by me. In fact, you can probably assume that the most clever ones were suggested to me by someone else.)
Seattle Seahawks sneaking in
53. Bryce Cabeldue, G
Cabeldue seemed to be facing an uphill battle, trapped behind Mason Richman and Christian Haynes at backup offensive guard. Richman’s injury in the second preseason game opened up a spot, and the second-year player was able to grab it.
52. Montorie Foster, Jr, WR
The best underdog story of the preseason paid off when Foster went from substitute teacher to an NFL roster in the space of one year. He earned his way onto the club with a series of great catches on offense and solid special teams play. Still, beating out a steady young veteran like Cody White was not assured until the actual roster was announced.
51. Avery Smith, CB
When Sunday began, the rookie Smith was wondering if he would make the Los Angeles Chargers squad. By the time the sun went down, he was the newest member of the Super Bowl Champions' prestigious secondary. He may only be on the 53-man roster until injury concerns regarding other cornerbacks recede. But he is here for now, and may well be expected to contribute early if necessary.
50. Beau Stephens, G
There wasn’t much doubt that Stephens would make the roster. Schneider traded away a future fourth-round pick to choose him in the fifth round in April. But he hadn’t shown much in the preseason, so there was always a chance he might be headed for the practice squad. He is a young player with a lot of potential, but he will need time to develop.
49. Julian Neal, CB
As with Stephens, as long as he was healthy, Neal was destined for the roster. But we saw virtually nothing of him in camp as he dealt with a quad injury. His profile would seem to make him a logical choice to replace Riq Woolen as a perimeter cornerback, but we just haven’t seen enough yet to accurately judge him.
Depth who fans hope will not have to play
48. Chazz Surratt, LB
Surratt would have a better chance of seeing the field for a team with a less-talented defense. As it is, he is a quality special teamer who should log just a handful of actual defensive snaps this year.
47. Brandon Pili, DL
I like Pili. He is a true nose tackle, and he provided adequate support in limited action last season. Still, Schneider brought in four young prospects to challenge for that role this offseason. None supplanted Pili, but a couple of them remain on the practice squad.
46. Jalen Milroe, QB
I think Milroe looked better this preseason than he did when we saw him last year. Still, he is very inexperienced and prone to big mistakes. Schneider would have risked losing him had he been exposed to waivers, so it isn’t surprising he is on the roster. Now we’ll see if offensive coordinator Brian Fleury can figure out ways to use his skills.
45. Nick Kallerup, TE
Kallerup was a surprise addition to the roster last year. With a new offensive coordinator in place this season, there was some thought that an extra blocking tight end might not find space, but Kallerup made it and should be a good contributor on special teams and in short-yardage situations.
44. Mike Morris, E
Morris has a unique skill set. He is enormous, and he is fast. I’m not sure how comfortable Aden Durde would be if he had to play a lot of defensive end this year, but he remains a terror on special teams.
43. Connor O’Toole, E
O’Toole’s emergence this preseason may have closed the door on fellow second-year UDFA Jared Ivey. O’Toole looked to be the more active pass rusher, though his play against the run should limit him to specialty packages when the top 4 edges need a rest.
42. Nehemiah Pritchett, CB
In his rookie season, it didn’t look like Pritchett was long for this league. But he has stuck around and turned into a good special teams player. In the preseason, he looked a lot more comfortable in coverage as well, though I still don’t know whether the club trusts him in big situations.
Chris Stoll
41, Chris Stoll, LS
Stoll remains as a stable long snapper. I’m not sure there is much else to say here.
Depth
40. Christian Haynes, G
With the Mason Richman injury, Haynes becomes the top choice to step in should a starter go out. But the Hawks can shift other players around if Haynes cannot handle the challenge. He looks to be moving with more confidence in his third season, but pass protection questions remain.
39. Patrick O’Connell, LB
O’Connell grabs the fourth linebacker spot and, as such, could see some action in support of the starters. He, too, is looking more comfortable with a year under his belt.
38. Eric Saubert, TE
Saubert is rock-solid dependable. He is a fine blocker in 12- and 13-personnel and can also make a catch every once in a while.
37. George Holani, RB
Holani might only be on the 53 as a result of Zach Charbonnet’s injury, but the former UDFA has done everything asked of him from Day 1. It is gratifying to see him get his shot.
36. Dante Fowler, Jr, E
Fowler could be a secret weapon if he rushes the passer as he did a few years back. But he is getting older, and his productivity will remain in question until he proves it on the field.
35. Emanuel Wilson, RB
The Seahawks have mostly kept their free agent acquisition under wraps this summer, but he figures to play an important role once the season begins and until such time as Charbonnet returns. Never a star, but always a hard, productive runner.
34. Olu Oluwatimi, C
There are some teams in the league that have an unresolved center situation. The Seahawks are fortunate to have an experienced young option in reserve should they need it.
33. Brady Russell, FB
Robbie Ouzts’ injury has elevated Russell to the starting fullback role. I have him listed under depth because … 1) we don’t know how often Brian Fleury will use a fullback this year and … 2) I’m not sure Russell won’t cede some snaps to others. In a rare twist, he may be too valuable on special teams to risk on offense.
32. Drew Lock, QB
Lock is among the better backup QBs in the league. No one wants to lose their most important starter, but with Seattle’s stifling defense and Lock’s steady presence, they could afford it better than most.
31. Tyrice Knight, LB
Knight starts on at least half the teams in the league. In fact, he was a starter as a rookie until injuries allowed another player to emerge. He should still see the field a lot this season.
30. Jarran Reed, DT
At some point, time will catch up with Jarran Reed. Seattle’s defensive depth allows him to slowly pull back and in doing so, he remains a potent backup.
29. Rylie Mills, DL
His coaches and teammates may be more excited about Mills than about any other player on the squad this year. He missed most of his rookie season as he recovered from a college injury. Now he is fully healthy and looking like another dynamic presence on the defensive line.
28. Josh Jones, OL
Jones is the primary swing tackle, and he might be the first choice at guard if need be. He is a very steady player, and his insertion into the lineup does not require any major shifts in the offensive strategy. What more do you want from a backup?
Reliable starters
27. Anthony Bradford, G
Before you start howling about the “reliable” designation, let me remind you that Anthony Bradford has started 38 games for Seattle in the last three years, and started all 17 for the Super Bowl champion in 2025. Could he improve his pass protection? Yes. But there aren’t many better straight-line run blockers in the league.
26. Elijah Arroyo, TE
Arroyo should be poised for a big year, but I still need to see it happen. I feel pretty good about his chances.
25. Tory Horton, WR
See Elijah Arroyo above. Horton should make multiple big plays this year.
24. Ty Okada, S
The only thing Okada has to do this year is prove last year was not a fluke. He has waited his turn and gotten better. Then he seized his opportunity and became a starter on a Super Bowl champ. The fact that his story is not unique on this team is a testament to how well John Schneider and Mike Macdonald run things.
23. Jadarian Price, RB
The book is still out on Price and it will be until he proves what he can consistently do in games. Still, I feel pretty good about where he is right now. He should split time with a power back and should thrive.
22. Drake Thomas, LB
See Ty Okada above. Thomas was a revelation at linebacker last year. Tyrice Knight is a very good player and Thomas wouldn’t give him the slightest opening to regain his starting job.
21. Jalen Sundell, C
Seattle’s other starting offensive linemen were all drafted in the first four rounds. Sundell was an undrafted free agent who rather quickly bulled his way into the lineup. You could tell from the very beginning. He may not be the most physically gifted athlete, but he simply knows how to play the line.
20. Uchenna Nwosu, E
Entering his ninth season, Nwosu is hoping to get back to his 2022 level. He showed flashes of that last season. If he remains healthy, Nwosu should still have a few more quality seasons in the tank.
19. Jason Myers, K
Myers has been one of the best kickers in the league for a while now. Is there reason to worry after his mediocre preseason? Maybe, but I suspect he will be back on track once the games matter.
18. Josh Jobe, CB
A somewhat forgotten man. Wedged right in between superstars and question marks in the secondary, Jobe has developed into the steady presence every defense needs. Byron Maxwell redux.
17. Cooper Kupp, WR
Kupp has slowed some from his glory days, but with blistering speed all around him, he can stick to precise possession routes and be a mentor to all the young receivers.
16. Rashid Shaheed, WR
Speaking of speed… If Shaheed harnesses his raw talent and becomes a strong route runner as well, watch out. Even if he doesn’t, he can win games with his kick -returning prowess alone.
15. Grey Zabel, G
Zabel has some development to do, but let’s not lose sight of what he accomplished last year. He arrived as an expected savior for the offensive line. And that’s exactly what he became, from Day 1. He had help to be sure, but Zabel was rock solid.
14. Abraham Lucas, OT
Lucas may well have been the Seahawks’ least hyped star last year. His ability to stay healthy and provide quality play at right tackle was essential for the revived offense.
Sky's the limit
13. Derick Hall, E
I think Derick Hall may be on the verge of a dominant season. I’m talking double digit sacks.
12. AJ Barner. TE
There are better tight ends in the league, but are there better two-way tight ends? Apart from George Kittle, does any current tight end provide blocking and receiving the way Barner does? And he is getting better.
11. Byron Murphy II, DT
Byron Murphy will be an All Pro one day. Maybe as soon as this year. If so, I will need to move him up.
Proven Pro Bowlers
10. Michael Dickson, P
Is he the best in the league? Maybe not. We’ll settle for top-5.
9. Julian Love, S
Love is back from injury. Coby Bryant is gone. Rookie Bud Clark is out for the season. I look for Love to have a big year with a big challenge looming.
8. Sam Darnold, QB
Darnold returns as a Super Bowl champion QB. His leadership is now unquestioned. Despite the change at offensive coordinator, he should have a level of comfort this season that he has never experienced, and the entire team should benefit.
7. Nick Emmawori, S
I had very high expectations for Emmanwori last season. He exceeded them. Playing for the perfect coaches, there is no telling how good Nick Emmanwori can be.
6. Demarcus Lawrence, E
Everyone in the Seahawks building credited Lawrence with bringing veteran maturity and a zealot’s passion to the team when he arrived last year. On the field, he was a monster. He may have been even more valuable off the field and at practice.
5. Charles Cross, OT
Cross may go his entire career without even making the Pro Bowl. Then we will all look back and wonder how we could have possibly ignored the steadiest left tackle in the league.
4. Ernest Jones IV, LB
Tackling leader. All Pro. Most of all, the spiritual heart of the defense, and quite possibly the entire team. The Seahawks began their climb to a championship in 2025 when Ernest Jones arrived in the middle of 2024.
3. Devon Witherspoon, CB
I couldn’t decide whether to put Spoon second or third. In the end, I bowed to experience. Spoon is in the conversation as the best all-around cornerback in the NFL.
2. Leonard Williams, DE
Saying I bowed to experience should not suggest Williams is in decline. He remains a physical marvel and a terror on the field. The Seahawks defense begins with Williams and Murphy on the line.
MVP
1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR
What JSN did last year was extraordinary. No team leaned on a star more heavily than the Seahawks. It would be hard to lose Sam Darnold. Losing JSN would be even worse.
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