The Seahawks met Tuesday’s league-mandated deadline and finalized their 53-man roster. The next step for the Seahawks will be the creation of a 17-man practice squad. As for the 53-man roster, here are some initial thoughts: The team kept nine rookies seven drafted and two undrafted.
CORNERBACKS
Devon Witherspoon, Tre Brown, Riq Woolen, Nehemiah Pritchett and Dee Williams
ANALYSIS
Rookies Williams and Pritchett had excellent training camps, and their consistent play in the preseason earned them a roster position. Pritchett played 35 defensive snaps in the Browns game, 43% of the defense snaps. He also played five special teams snaps. Williams started the season as a wide receiver and moved to cornerback on the third day of practice. Against the Browns, Williams played 23 snaps, which was 28% of the defensive snaps, and more importantly, he played 15 special teams snaps, 45% of all special team plays. Williams returned two kickoff returns for 55 yards, including an electrifying 31-yard return. He also had one punt return for 16 yards.
SAFETIES
Rayshawn Jenkins (SS), Coby Bryant ( FS), Julian Love (FS), K’Von Wallace (FS)
Analysis: No surprises here. Rayshawn Jenkins left practice with a leg injury last week, and Mike Macdonald did not provide a return date for Jenkins. Wallace has had a solid camp and is a capable fill.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Mike Morris ( DE), Myles Adams(DE), Leonard Williams. (DE), Jarran Reed ( NT), Byron MurphyII ( DT), Jonathan Hankins ( NT).
Analysis: The highlight of this group was Byron Murphy’s play, which lived up to his expectations as a first-round draft pick. Macdonald has said that he is impressed with Murphy’s growth and that the team has high expectations for him. Morris had a good camp and played his way onto the team for now.
LINEBACKERS
Tyrel Dodson, Jerome Baker, Uchenna Nwosu, Drake Thomas, Tyrice Knight, Boye Mafe, Dre’Mont Jones, Trevis Gipson, Derick Hall.
Analysis
An unfortunate injury to Nwosu in the Browns game saw the team trade for Gipson. Baker was slow to recover from his knee injury while playing for the Dolphins last year and saw limited time in training camp. Baker’s absence created an opportunity for Knight, who stepped in and owned the position. Baker returned to practice last week. Nwosu is expected to miss anywhere from two to four weeks.
CENTER
Olu Oluwatimi, Connor Willams, Jalen Sundell.
Analysis
The starting job is Oluwatimi’s for the moment. The Seahawks signed Williams on August 11 after trading former Husky Nick Harris back to the Browns. Williams has taken first-team snaps in walk-throughs and padless practices. If he is ready in two weeks, he will be the starting center for the rest of the season.
GUARDS
Sataoa Laumea, Christian Haynes, Laken Tomlison, Anthony Bradford
Analysis
Bradford has been solid and steady throughout the training camp and will be the starter at right guard. Tomlison is long on the tooth, with this being his tenth season in the NFL, but he brings a lot of valuable experience to the left guard position. Haynes had an outstanding training camp and started at right guard, while Bradford started at left guard in the Titans game. Laumea was a pleasant surprise and will be a valuable backup.
TACKLES
Micheal Jerrell, Charles Cross, George Fant, Stone Forsythe.
Analysis
The placement of Abe Lucas on the PUP list is no surprise. Lucas has not practiced all summer. George Fant is the likely replacement for Lucas at the proper tackle position, while Cross is a solid starter on the left.
QUARTERBACKS
Geno Smith, Sam Howell.
Analysis
There’s not much to say here, but if Smith is healthy, the Seahawks will have a competitive and explosive offense. If not, well, let’s stop there.
RUNNING BACK
Ken McItosh, Zach Charbonnet, Ken Walker III
Analysis
McIntosh had a frustrating rookie year and showed maturity. He arrived at training camp with a workman attitude, which helped him win the third running back position behind Walker and Charbonnet. Under the group, Walker and Charbonnet are sure to have a productive season, with the likelihood that McIntosh could also prosper.
TIGHT ENDS
Brady Russell, Pharoah Brown, Noah Fant, AJ Barner
Analysis
Russell had a better-than-expected camp, and his versatility earned him a spot on the roster. Fant had a decent year but the Seahawks believed in him enough to let of Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson. Barner is the future, while Brown looks to add depth and veratility.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jaxson Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jake Bobo, Lavisha Shenault Jr, Dareke Young
Analysis
The top four positions were never in doubt. It came down to a four-player battle for two spots between Shenault Jr, Dareke Young, Dee Eskridge, and Eason Winston Jr. Eskridge looked like he might make the squad after his electrifying 79 punt return for a touchdown against the Browns. His lack of consistency may cost him in the long run. Winston Jr. had a good camp but needed a great camp to overtake Young or Shenault Jr, who showed versatility and consistency when called upon
SPECIALIST
Michael Dickson, Jason Myers, Chris Stoll
Analysis
This unit falls in the leave well enough category. All three are among the best in the league.
TEAM CUTS
Waived
LB Sundiata Anderson
LB Michael Barrett
DT Kyon Barrs
CB Lance Boykin
LB Nelson Ceaser
T McClendon Curtis
WR Dee Eskridge
TE Michael Ezeike
TE Devon Garrison
LB Easton Gibbs
T Garret Greenfield
WR Hayden Hatten
RB George Holani
CB D.J. James
CB Carlton Johnson
DT Mario Kendricks
DE DeVere Levelston
RB Kobe Lewis
TE Tyler Mabry
G Ilm Manning
LB Patrick O’Connell
S Ty Okada
G Raiqwon O’Neal
T Max Pircher
LB Jon Rhattigan
RB Kairee Robinson
WR Ty Scott
LB Jamie Sheriff
WR Cody White
WR Easop Winston Jr.
Terminated Veteran Contract
S Marquise Blair
CB Artie Burns
LB Blake Lynch
QB PJ Walker
Waived/Injured
TE Jack Westover
Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform
T Abraham Lucas
S Jerrick Reed II
NT Cameron Young
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