The first projection of roster of 53 men for the 2020 season came just before training camp began. It is only fitting then that the second version lands before the training camp really begins. Beginning Wednesday, the Seahawks can take three-and-a-half hours a day in helmets and shells to the field, before padded practices begin on Monday. Once the work on the field begins, we should have a better idea to develop stories across the list. For now, we will continue to fly blind. Without further ado:
QB: Russell Wilson, Geno Smith
Wilson and Smith remain included, with UDFA Anthony Gordon on his way to the 16-man training team.
As the regular season gets closer and closer, coaches continue to indicate that they will treat the QB room in a particularly unique way. Seattle’s own Pete Carroll is included in that group, Peter King says Wilson and Smith would not be in the same meeting room this season. It should come as no surprise if the Seahawks, along with most teams, hold three quarterbacks this season. For now, however, it just remains Wilson and Smith at 53.
Cut: Anthony Gordon
RB: Chris Carson, Carlos Hyde, Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas
Little has changed here since camp began, with the exception of the release of Anthony Jones. Rashaad Penny will go to the PUP list and will likely stay there to start the regular season, which comes up late in the year.
Cut: Anthony Jones, Nick Bellore
WR: Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Phillip Dorsett, David Moore, Penny Hart, John Ursua
The obvious question mark among wide receiver is Ursua, who on Monday confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19, which led to his placement on the reserve / COVID list. The lasting effects of that positive test are the best judgment of anyone at the moment, but he remains at 53 here as a placeholder of sorts. Should Josh Gordon return to Seattle upon re-installation, he will claim one of Hart as Ursua’s nursing home. If Ursua is 100 percent healthy in that scenario, then Hart will be the odd man.
Snow: Freddie Swain, Cody Thompson, Aaron Fuller
TE: Will Dissly, Greg Olsen, Jacob Hollister
In the first projection of roster, this position group consisted of Dissly, Olsen, Colby Parkinson, and Stephen Sullivan. Why the changes?
It seems more likely than not that Parkinson, a fourth-round pick this year, will start the season on the PUP list. Stephen, meanwhile, is raw and still in between positions, having made the switch late in his career at LSU. Without some press season and only limited practice time, it’s too much to ask him to crack the 53 (although he’s a different practice match slot, in this scenario).
I’m a little cheated by including Hollister here, because I expect he’s going to be cut in the trim from 80 to 53. At a cap that is more than $ 3.2 million, the Seahawks are not fair that he can pay that – but the other 31 teams that get a chance when he places on exemptions. After being clear, he will return to Seattle as a useful third tight end on a much tastier deal.
Cut: Stephen Sullivan, Luke Willson, Tyler Mabry
OT: Duane Brown, Jamarco Jones, Brandon Shell, Cedric Ogbuehi
Nothing has changed here, though Jones’s place may have become even safer after Warmack’s rejection, due to his positional versatility.
Snow: Chad Wheeler, Tommy Champion
iOL: Mike Iupati, Phil Haynes, BJ Finney, Ethan Pocic, Damien Lewis, Jordan Simmons
The offensive line of the Seahawks ‘interior is fairly easy to sort through, but it’s fair to ask if they’ll try to add another option with Simmons’ health remaining completely convincing. In the middle, there is always the potential that a trade arises to send Pocic into a more suitable system, but first and foremost, he remains the obvious backup center.
Snow: Kyle Fuller
EDGE: Bruce Irvin, Rasheem Green, Darrell Taylor, Benson Mayowa, LJ Collier, Alton Robinson, Shaquem Griffin
Although Seattle Branden Jackson has re-signed after he was first released, it’s still hard to see how he cracks the roster. Their group of EDGEs remains full and Jackson does little to send one out.
Snow: Eli Mencer, Marcus Webb, Branden Jackson
DT: Jarran Reed, Poona Ford, Cedrick Lattimore, Bryan Mone
The Seahawks sniff through veteran defensive approaches, sure to add one eventually, but have yet to do so. Although one of Lattimore as Mone has to make the 53, both serve as placeholders from now on and may be on the outside, depending on where the eventual signing fits.
Snow: Demarcus Christmas
LB: KJ Wright, Bobby Wagner, Jordyn Brooks, Cody Barton, Ben Burr-Kirven
Seattle seems to be in a bit of a hurry to add to a shallow linebacker corps, and understandably so with such flexibility. Anyone, except Wagner, can play multiple spots, while Irvin and Griffin – mentioned on EDGE – can also watch snaps at SAM.
Cut: N / A
CB: Shaquill Griffin, Quinton Dunbar, Three Flowers, Ugo Amadi, Neiko Thorpe
Dunbar is from the Commissioner’s exempt list and hence, mentioned here. A suspension could still be handed over to the Seahawks’ new cornerback, but for now he is signed for Week 1. With three players able to start on the outside in Griffin, Dunbar and Flowers, Seattle could consider the standout for special teams to free Thorpe in favor of a younger player with upside, such as Gavin Heslop. For now, he retains his place.
Cut: Gavin Heslop, Ryan Neal, Debione Renfro, Kemah Siverand, Linden Stephens, Jayson Stanley
S: Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, Lano Hill, Marquise Blair
Since joining the club as UDFA, I have been projecting former Baylor Bear Chris Miller to make Diggs. My conviction is less. Hill received a vote of confidence by John Schneider in a conversation with Peter King following the purchase of Adams, with blame for his poor 2019 appearing to fall on his season-ending hip injury the year before. Hill and Blair both have versatility on their side as backups, in addition to the contributions of special teams that Hill has made since he was a rookie. Miller needs to sit in the practice group.
Cut: Chris Miller
The specialist: Jason Myers, Michael Dickson, Tyler Ott
Rivers.
