Around a month ago I gave you an early indication of what I thought the roster may look like at the start of the season. Now, with the preseason games over, I will go into more depth for what I believe has changed, stayed the same and who I think will make the final cut. I will be highlighting players as follows:

[make the roster spot] [cut] [potential cut to practice squad]

Offence (26)

QB (2) Wilson Boykin Davis

note: my opinion hasn’t changed. if you take the offseason as a whole Boykin was the better of the backups. Davis plays too safe and throws away too easy where boykin trys to make something happen in a style similar to Wilson. Davis is not a guy who I would entrust my team to to win games if my starter went down so it is pointless to have him as a backup.

RB/FB (6/1) Lacy Rawls Prosise Carson Davis McKissic Reece(FB) Collins(T) Madden

note: since I wrote the first prediction the seahawks have added reece to their roster again, which I was already hoping for when the season ended. besides that, I would keep an unusually large group of 6 RBs, partially because of their ability to play multiple roles and partially because some of the starters are injury prone: Lacy, Rawls and Prosise. For Lacy and Rawls you have Carson and Davis as backups, both of who put on a really good show in preseason. The rookie was one of the standouts and showed he could be a heavy runner, solid blocker, had good hands and contributed on special teams.

As mentioned in my first post, McKissic is a great addition because he can more than cover at returner while lockett gets well (something he has done well in preseason) while being a similar player to Prosise should he get injured.

I have found collins a bit disappointing this preseason, which is why he just doesn’t make the cut for me. However, he could be an interesting trade object.

Tre Madden made some good plays in preseason and I would like to see him develop in the practice squad.

TE (3) Graham Wilson Vannett Swoops

note: As expected Donatell was cut, didn’t really see much of him in the preseason anyway. Unfortunately the same could be said for Vannett. This leaves the question whether he or Swoops will make it into the squad. I have gone for Vannett purely because he is more experienced, but I really hope Swoops makes it onto the practice squad because he is really close to the team. Graham and wilson are a lock.

WR (6) Baldwin Richardson Lockett Williams McEvoy Darboh Kearse(T) Smith Rogers Greyson Lawler Moore

note: No big surprises with the first three of Baldwin, Richardson and Lockett. They stay on top. And as predicted in my earlier post from before the preseason games began: kearse got traded. So no surprise there either. THE big revelation for me in the offseason, however: Kasen Williams. Boy did I have that one wrong. He showed some amazing plays and what he can really do when he is fit. I believe has done more than enough to secure himself a spot.

I expressed some doubts in my last post about whether Lawler has developed enough, especially physically, to push into the first team. While I think he has improved, I still think that another year on the practice squad will do him good. Nonetheless, he is on the cusp and may be a surprise if the Seahawks decide against McEvoy or Darboh, which I highly doubt.

McEvoy didn’t see much time, however, he is such a big play threat and a special teamer, that I don’t sea how he could be left out. Darboh also made some really nice plays and I believe that he is more likely to be claimed off waivers than Lawler, which is why he might get the last spot.

Moore and maybe Greyson should make the practice squad, but neither are good enough to make the first team yet. Smith and Rogers did nothing to stand out for me.

OL (9)  Odhiambo Tobin Joeckel Britt Hunt Aboushi Glowinski Ifedi Pocic (Fant) Thompson Brown Roos Pericak

note: While the final 5 may still not be 100% certain, the continuity in who was around and likely to start was a big step this preseason. You essentially had: Fant, Joeckel, Britt, Aboushi/Glowinski, Ifedi. One position battle for the preseason seemed like a very solid improvement from last year.

Then Fant got injured which was a huge shame. Luckily we have a guy there who I don’t 100% trust to take it on due to consistency, but knows the system: Odhiambo. Tobin, although I don’t know him too well, also seems like a good addition to compete there. Nonetheless, The line seems in much better shape than last year, with top backups in Pocic and Hunt, as well as the guys who are contending for starting jobs Aboushi/Glowinski and Odhiambo/Tobin.

Unfortunately this pushes Roos and Pericak onto the Practice squad, where I hope we have them next season as they are solid guys. Thompson and Brown have not left an impression.

Defence (23)

DL (9) Bennett Avril Clark Richardson Marsh Rubin Reed Jefferson Jones (McDowell)  Smith II Milhouse Jordan Smith Harris French Bass Coe

note: Jefferson has managed to get fit before the start of the season, however McDowell was involved in a car accident and may sit the entire season. This is the only change in, or should i say swap, in the squad for the season from my last prediction. As expected Jones really stood out and may even end up as a starter. you don’t trade for someone like richardson and then cut him straight away, that would be odd, so he makes it as a late extra onto the line.

Of the other guys I was impressed by Bass and Coe, maybe even French, who could make it onto the practice squad. Coe is a BIG guy who can have a real impact, tough against the run but can also track back as he showed in one play that stood out against the raiders. He was my favourite out of the three. Bass showed some really strong play off the edge.

LB (5) Wright Wagner Morgan Alexander Wilhoite Garvin McDonald Palacio Butler Peters

note: So Pierre-Lewis was traded away, otherwise I would have put him as a fix, but I’m really happy they brought mike morgan back who has played in this system for so long. behind Wagner and Wright, this might be one of the most open position groups as the remaining spaces are going to be for backups, especially when the Seahawks play a lot with Nickel packages.

In Alexander they acquired a guy more for special teams than for LB, but in Wilhoite they have someone who can cover all three spots and contribute on special teams.

None of the other guys particularly caught my eye and this might be a spot where we see someone coming off the waivers. Although, of course, the Seahawks are known for getting guys based not only on positional needs but on who is available and a great player.

CB (4) Sherman Coleman Griffin Desir (Shead) Lane(T) Elliott Thorpe McCray Tyson

note: so as it stands, no change on the usual starting CB opposite Sherman. I think that Shead will, however, come back strong in the season. Based on the fact that I stick with the feeling of disappointment from last season regarding Shead’s backups, I am predicting a bit of change. Especially, because the players in question did nothing to change my mind: Thorpe’s tackling is not that great, he doesn’t make the angles. Elliott got injured. McCray gets beaten too easy and was hardly used. Yes, these players have shown that they have some special teams value, but there are new guys who can fill in there with Carson and Alexander etc.

One player, who I am afraid they will keep despite continual poor performance, is Lane. personally I would trade Lane, but I think the Hawks will keep him, opting for some experience if Coleman doesn’t work out, until Shead recovers and also because they love him in the nickle packages. I’m still secretly hoping that they don’t go into the next season with him so I have put him on the cut/trade list.

in a bit of a surprise move Brock was shipped off again straight away to the vikes for a pick next year, but in Coleman they signed a guy from the patriots who they have a bit of experience with, when he was on their practice squad for a short stint. I think he could get the start opposite Sherman while Shead recovers and Griffin learns the ropes. Unfortunately Griffin did not impress me enough in preseason for me to project him as a starter. However, in the long term I think he could be a great prospect.

Desir made the final interception from the last game against oakland happen, he made a generally good impression on me in the preseason and I think he plays the position the Seahawks want it played.

Tyson hasn’t been able to show what he is about in preseason due to injury, but I think they will try to hold onto him and get him in the practice squad.

S (5) Thomas III Chancellor McDougald Thompson Hill Cromatie Simone

note: As predicted in my first post, this is a pretty easy one. Simone got cut early and I don’t think Cromatie will be kept either. In Thompson and Hill you have, even if still in its infancy, similar skill sets to Thomas and Chancellor. A hard hitter SS and a rangy FS with a good nose for an INT. While they develop you have McDougald who can give the Prow Bowl Tandem a breather whenever they need it, as he is certainly not lacking in quality and I still believe he could be used for nickle packages.

Special Teams

K, P, LS (3) Walsh Ryan Ott

note: Walsh and Ryan have their spots safe. As predicted in my previous post Ott got the nod at LS with Frese getting cut early. The other two were set anyhow, both with consistent shows in preseason.

 

The practice squad would look like this:

Madden, Lawler, Moore, (Greyson,) Swoops, Roos, Pericack, (French,) Coe, Bass, Tyson

Yes, that’s 11 guys, but they won’t all make it there or the Seahawks will look on waivers if there are people the prefer. Those two in brackets are those that I could imagine not making it into the practice squad due to depth and because there are better players.

While it all unfolds there are the 5 things I am going to keep an eye on:

• CB will Lane stay? will Desir make the cut?
• LB will there be anyone exciting to add to this group, which doesn’t convince me yet behind Wagner and Wright. although Morgan is pretty solid i’m unsure about the other two. Will special teams be enough for Alexander?
• WR threeway battle between McEvoy, Darboh and Lawler for 2 spots
• TE Vannett or Swoops?
• RB will the Seahawks keep 6 RBs?!

We will see how the cut turns out!