The Seattle Seahawks roster is going to look very different in 2025 from the squad that began the 2024 season. Four offensive starters are already gone, while several other players who had prominent roles last season are locked in battles that could not only determine the depth chart, but could also affect several roster decisions.
This past April, general manager John Schneider drafted nine players on offense in addition to the key free agent signings he made.
On defense, the changes will not be as noticeable. Head coach Mike Macdonald began addressing roster issues during the ’24 season when he let go of both starting linebackers and tinkered with playing time at other positions. Schneider only spent two draft picks on defense. In free agency, he hit the undrafted market hard, looking for depth pieces and developmental prospects.
Predicting the Seattle Seahawks' 2025 53-man roster ahead of training camp
Entering training camp, we all try to read the tea leaves to determine which players may be on the rise and which may be struggling. We’ll know a lot more next month, but for now, let’s try to predict who will make the final 53-man roster. Most of what follows is a no-brainer.
However, there will still be about 10-12 guesses, based on hunches and stray coach's comments that may open a window on how they are seeing the roster right now. In other words, do not use what follows for gambling purposes.
Seattle Seahawks offense
QB (3): Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe
No mystery here. These are the only three QBs currently on the roster. The intrigue may come on the depth chart. The veteran Lock will almost certainly begin as the backup to Sam Darnold. Rookie Jalen Milroe would have to show tremendous progress in order to supplant him.
At the earliest, that kind of move could come after midseason. The rookie may see more playing time, however, through special packages that can take advantage of his rare physical gifts.
RB (3): Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Damien Martinez
The first two are locks. Rookie Martinez has an advantage over last year’s third back Kenny McIntosh and summer standout George Holani. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is committed to running the ball and Martinez is the best third option Seattle currently has to put that philosophy into practice.
WR (6): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tory Horton, Cody White, Ricky White III
This unit will look very different without DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett around. Horton could challenge MVS for snaps by midseason, but the top four receivers should all get their chances. I’m going with the two Whites over fan-favorite Jake Bobo and Steven Sims, mostly on a hunch.
Sims has an outside shot to stick if no one else (Horton, mostly) wins the coach’s confidence as a punt returner. Last season, the Seahawks had both Bobo and Cody White but I don’t think that’s a winning recipe in this day and age.
TE (3): Noah Fant, Elijah Arroyo, A.J. Barner
These three have clear roles. Fant is the tight end of 2025. Arroyo is the tight end of 2026. Barner is the classic in-line/flex option who can pair with either. The only real question is whether veteran Eric Saubert sticks. I think in the past, he would have had an excellent chance, but because of the next position, he probably gets cut.
Note: Noah Fant was released after the posting of this article, which would give Brady Russell a better chance to make the team.
FB (1): Robbie Ouzts
This is Ouzts' job to lose. Fan favorite Brady Russell is currently listed ahead of Ouzts on the depth chart, but Ouzts, of the 2025 draft class, is exactly what the new-look Seahawks offense seems to need. He is an imposing blocker who can catch the occasional pass.
He has experience lining up as a true fullback or as a wing, something that the veteran Russell is still learning. If Ouzts falters, Russell is a solid backup plan. But I don’t expect Ouzts to falter.
OL (9): Charles Cross, Abe Lucas, Grey Zabel, Anthony Bradford, Olu Oluwatimi, Josh Jones, Christian Haynes, Jalen Sundell, Bryce Cabeldue
I think the first eight names on this list are locks. The debates begin at nine. And they extend to how many linemen Macdonald will ultimately keep.
I think Cabeldue beats out last year’s backups, Sataoa Laumea and Michael Jerrell, for the ninth and final spot. Josh Jones will be the swing tackle, and Cabeldue looks to be a more polished player than Laumea, who struggled mightily when forced into action last year.
As for the final number, Jones, Zabel, Sundell, and Cabeldue all have experience at multiple positions, which reduces the need to keep an extra player to fill a hole. Whoever is seen as the odd man out goes to the practice squad, where it seems unlikely he will be snapped up by another team. And keeping nine linemen allows Macdonald an extra defender.
Seattle Seahawks defense
DL (6): Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, Rylie Mills, Johnathan Hankins, Brandon Pili
The big change here is at nose tackle. Neither Hankins nor Pili will pile up impressive numbers. But they are mammoth men who can lock up the middle of the line, and that’s what they will be asked to do. The position is so demanding that you want two interchangeable parts so both make the roster.
This will free up players like Reed and Murphy from playing over center, which should increase their productivity. Mills is a big part of the future, but his injury could limit his progress early. If he is physically unable to play by week one, it grants a reprieve to Mike Morris, who would otherwise be the odd man out in this shift toward 330-pound nose tackles.
EDGE (5): DeMarcus Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall, Jared Ivey
This may be the biggest dark horse position on the entire team. There is talent here, and there are questions galore. If one of these players steps up and has a big year, the Seahawks defense will be firmly in the league’s upper half. If two of them do it, that vaults Macdonald’s unit into the top quarter.
Ivey makes the roster as a direct result of the decision to keep just nine offensive linemen. Right now, I have him barely ahead of fellow UDFA Connor O’Toole.
LB (4): Ernest Jones IV, Tyrice Knight. Drake Thomas, Josh Ross
The presence of Nick Emmanwori complicates how Macdonald will view this position. The talented rookie safety can play any back-seven position and might become the de facto third linebacker. That makes the backup linebackers mostly valued for special teams, where both Thomas and Ross shine. Another strong preseason from Patrick O’Connor could push either Thomas or Ross out.
CB (6): Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe, Shaq Griffin, Zy Alexander, Damarion Williams
The return of Shaq Griffin should calm fears over depth in this unit. Alexander is a legit boundary corner, and if he develops, he could free up Witherspoon to roam a bit more. I think Macdonald will eventually stick with Williams, a player he knows from his day with the Ravens, over Nehemiah Pritchett, who is looking to bounce back after a tough rookie campaign.
S (4): Julian Love, Coby Bryant, Nick Emmanwori, D’Anthony Bell
If Emmanwori is as good as advertised, this is the Seahawks' best position group. Bell will have to fend off some challenges, but I suspect he will. This group boasts great versatility and the potential for outstanding production.
SP (3): Jason Myers, Michael Dickson, Chris Stoll
Myers may be nearing the end. I suppose there’s a chance he could have a poor preseason, and it would prompt Schneider to sign another kicker as competition. There’s an outside chance of that should some talented youngster be released in August. But I think it’s unlikely. The other two specialists are carved in stone.
Not much drama here – unless you count the battle for kickoff and punt returner. That player(s) is going to come from the other positions. Steven Sims is the only potential return man who would not have a real presence at another position.
That’s a snapshot as we enter training camp. I reserve the right to change my mind when we get around to our next projection, sometime in August.