What is this, a day before the final pre-season game? Yeah, let’s go out there on that limb and predict the 53-man roster for the Seahawks.
Quarterbacks
- Russell Wilson
Alex McGough- Brett Hundley
Obviously we all know the starter here. My gut tells me that the actual backup QB will be Austin Davis, but I’m gonna go with what my eyes have seen. They’ve seen a guy in Davis who has done absolutely nothing through three pre-season games, while they’ve seen a guy in McGough who has steadily improved every time he’s gone out there. Now, it hasn’t translated into wins, but that’s neither here nor there. I think you can waive Davis and he’ll just be sitting out there collecting dust. With McGough, you can PROBABLY get him onto your practice squad, but that also risks him to other teams’ practice squads as well (particularly if they have less certain QB situations). I’d rather go with the guy who can be a viable long-term solution to the backup QB spot (with potential to be trade bait if/when we get to his 4th season).
I guess forget all that, because the Seahawks just traded for Hundley. SOMEONE GOT CAUGHT PRE-WRITING A 53-MAN ROSTER PREDICTION POST!
Running Backs
- Chris Carson
- Rashaad Penny
- C.J. Prosise
- Mike Davis
- Tre Madden
I just can’t see the team holding onto someone like McKissic who could be out for up to a month. They could IR him, but that seems like a waste. I honestly think they just cut him and try to re-sign him when he’s healthy, or at least on the way. But, with concerns about Penny and Prosise, I find it hard to believe they’re keeping McKissic over Davis, and I find it hard to believe they’re keeping a 6th RB when they have plenty of guys on this team who can return kicks in a pinch (should Lockett go down). McKissic isn’t someone you HAVE to have, especially considering he’s pretty undersized too and as such will come with his own injury concerns going forward.
Wide Receivers
- Doug Baldwin
- Tyler Lockett
- Jaron Brown
- Brandon Marshall
- David Moore
- Marcus Johnson
I don’t think Darboh is a guy you have to keep either. Honestly, I don’t see why you couldn’t sneak him onto the practice squad; what has he ever done in his 1+ years that makes him attractive to other teams? No loss, in my book, if he does go somewhere else; David Moore will be a better pro, so it’s all good. I like Johnson’s potential on special teams and as a deep threat should Lockett get injured. I like Marshall to be that red zone, Jimmy Graham-type target (I also like Marshall to be more effective between the 20’s; I just like Marshall a lot).
Tight Ends
- Nick Vannett
- Will Dissly
- Tyrone Swoopes
I think Ed Dickson stays on the PUP. Part of me wonders if he’ll get cut entirely, but that seems far less likely given his contract. But, that injury appears to be legit enough to hold him out for 6 more weeks. Also, I have a feeling the team would much rather go after some other team’s cut tight end, so if Dickson does remain on the PUP, Swoopes is no guarantee.
Offensive Line
- Duane Brown
- Ethan Pocic
- Justin Britt
- D.J. Fluker
- Germain Ifedi
- George Fant
- Jordan Roos
- Isaiah Battle
- Rees Odhiambo
I think Jamarco Jones goes on IR. I think Sweezy gets cut because he just can’t get healthy and stay on the field. I think the team would be fine with Pocic at center if Britt goes down (so there’s no point in keeping Hunt). And, ultimately I think Ifedi keeps his job as the team’s right tackle to start the season, but it’s no guarantee he starts all 16 games even if he stays healthy.
Defensive Line
- Frank Clark
- Rasheem Green
- Branden Jackson
- Jacob Martin
- Quinton Jefferson
- Tom Johnson
- Jarran Reed
- Naz Jones
- Shamar Stephen
- Poona Ford
For the record, I think it’s a longshot that this team actually keeps Poona Ford, but I like him and I want to see him make this team. I also think it would speak volumes about this team wanting to actually stop the run like they always say they want to. And, I think there could be a surprise cut from these 10; someone who has looked really good this pre-season, but maybe for whatever reason the coaches think is expendable (Quinton Jefferson or Shamar Stephen come to mind). I also think Dion Jordan starts the year on PUP.
Linebackers
- Bobby Wagner
- K.J. Wright
- Barkevious Mingo
- Shaquem Griffin
- Erik Walden
I’m probably least confident in my prediction of this group, all things considered. Especially if K.J. Wright’s knee issue is worse than they’re letting on, it might force them to keep an extra linebacker, which would surely take away from the DL group. D.J. Alexander is obviously a name to watch, as he’s a huge special teams guy. And, I’d say Austin Calitro has earned an opportunity to be a backup to Bobby. If any of my picks is NOT likely to make the team, I’d look at Walden (though I think as strictly a pass rusher, the team probably NEEDS him the most, and should look to shift him to that LEO end spot that Chris Clemons and Cliff Avril played).
Cornerbacks
- Shaquill Griffin
- Justin Coleman
- Tre Flowers
- Dontae Johnson
- Neiko Thorpe
- Byron Maxwell
I am less certain by the day that Byron Maxwell actually makes this team. Now, that having been said, if you’re okay with anyone missing the entire pre-season and coming in to start day 1, I’d probably be most okay with that person being Maxy, but nevertheless it’s not a good sign. That having been said, I don’t think anyone on this roster has set himself apart to steal that job from the trusty veteran (Akeem King might be closest, but he’s no sure thing). I guess a lot of it depends on whether or not the Seahawks keep 5 safeties or only 4.
Safeties
- Bradley McDougald
- Tedric Thompson
- Delano Hill
- Maurice Alexander
Obviously, Kam goes on IR here, and Earl maintains his holdout well into the regular season. I just don’t see a whole lot of reason to keep a fifth safety unless he’s a huge special teams guy, and I think you’ve already got Neiko to play that role. If there is a fifth guy, I guess it’s Mike Tyson, but I don’t see this team bending over backwards to keep him on the roster. He’s always struck me as just a guy. He’s certainly not someone you’d have to keep over someone like Maxwell.