Predicting Seattle Seahawks' Depth Chart, Post OTAs

The Seattle Seahawks are through OTAs, and now we enter one of the quietest periods of the NFL experience before camp opens up and the grind begins again. There have been a few developments, and now the speculation can start as to which players are going to step up and grab spots on the roster.

One could argue that the roster of the Seahawks could be predicted right now with some amount of accuracy. However, football can be a shifting sport, as injuries and intriguing performances can change the depth chart as a team prepares for the season.

Pete Carroll loves a good position battle, as he seems to feel like it keeps everyone sharp and hungry to keep their jobs. Add this to some interesting rookies, and there will still be some key position battles for the ‘Hawks later this summer.

Here is an update on the Seattle Seahawks’ depth chart after OTAs and where the roster may go in the future.

Quarterback

Starter: Russell Wilson

Backup: Brady Quinn

Backup: Jerrod Johnson

Despite suiting up for the Seattle Mariners, it seems unlikely that Russell Wilson will ditch his QB gig in favor of joining the starting rotation of the M’s. Granted, the Mariners could probably use him.

Barring an injury, Wilson is your starter, both now and into the future. The only question is whether Pete Carroll goes with the “veteran” Brady Quinn or a “upside” guy in Jerrod Johnson.

Conventional wisdom says that Quinn wins the job based on his experience, though Carroll may be intrigued by another project.

Running Back

Starter: Marshawn Lynch

Backup: Robert Turbin

Backup: Christine Michael

Starter: Michael Robinson

Wild card: Spencer Ware

Again, your starting tailback for 2013 is Marshawn Lynch, unless back pain or legal trouble keep him off the field. That is where the certainty ends.

At the sake of being conservative, assume that Robert Turbin keeps his job as the first backup. Turbin played well as a rookie, and he did a very nice job catching the ball out of the backfield.

Christine Michael is an intriguing athlete and it will be interesting to see how he does in camp. It will also be interesting to see how the Seahawks choose to use him. He could move up the charts with a strong summer.

At fullback, you have a solid veteran in Michael Robinson, who has a nice relationship with Beast Mode. Do you maintain the chemistry of the veteran duo or do you let Spencer Ware take a shot at winning the job? For now, assume that Spencer Ware is on the outside looking in, but that could change.

Wide Receiver

Starter: Percy Harvin

Starter: Sidney Rice

Backup: Golden Tate

Backup: Doug Baldwin

Wild card: Chris Harper

Yet again, we have some relative certainly and we have some questions on the depth chart. Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice are in. Golden Tate is in. Doug Baldwin is not guaranteed to be in, but he probably fits into this depth chart.

Then there is physical rookie Chris Harper, who could find his way onto this roster and into the lineup if he can prove to be another outside threat for Russell Wilson. Still, Harper will be facing a fair amount of competition. Just the way Pete Carroll likes it.

Other players will be in the mix, including Jermaine Kearse, Charly Martin, Brett Swain, Bryan Walters and local rookie Justin Veltung.

As of June 10, the Seahawks had 14 wide receivers on their roster. Suffice it to say a few will have to go.

Tight End

Starter: Zach Miller

Backup: Sean McGrath

Wild cards: Luke Willson, Darren Fells

Anthony McCoy showed how tough it is to maintain an NFL career. McCoy gets hurt, and gets cut. This is not a sentimental league by any stretch of the imagination.

Back to business. Zach Miller is your starter and could develop into a favorite target for Russell Wilson this season. After that, the competition begins.

The two-tight end set is becoming popular in the NFL, and with Russell Wilson’s ability to run, the tight end could be an even more valuable weapon if Wilson wants to get outside and then complete short-yardage passes to a big body in the middle of the field.

So, who makes the roster? Sean McGrath is the most experienced, but not by much. Luke Willson could win the job with a strong camp. Then there is the former basketball player Darren Fells, who was signed, cut and re-signed. Will the determination pay off?

Finally, don’t count out local tight end Victor Marshall. Carroll and John Schneider love to mine talent from unknown spots.

Offensive Line

Starter: Russell Okung

Starter: James Carpenter

Starter: Max Unger

Starter: Paul McQuistan

Starter: Breno Giacomini

Backup: Mike Person

Backup: John Moffitt

Backup: Lemuel Jeanpierre

Backup: J.R. Sweezy

Backup: Rishaw Johnson

Wild cards: Michael Bowie, Ryan Seymour

Coming up with the depth chart for the offensive line is a bit tough at this point, simply because there are several moving parts for the Seahawks. Obviously, Russell Okung and Max Unger are safe picks. Beyond that, there are questions of health and performances.

Will James Carpenter stay on the field? Will he finally live up to his original draft status? You can arguably pencil him as a desired starter, but time will tell whether he can remain healthy.

The same question of health applies to John Moffitt.

Can Breno Giacomini hold onto his job on the right side, or will he eventually give way to a rookie or a younger player? On paper, there are a number of different options, but rookies like Michael Bowie and Ryan Seymour may have a genuine shot at making this team.

Let the games begin.

Defensive Line

Starter: Red Bryant

Starter: Tony McDaniel

Starter: Brandon Mebane

Starter: Cliff Avril

Backup: Michael Bennett

Backup: Clint McDonald

Backup: Jaye Howard

Backup: Greg Scruggs

Backup: Jordan Hill

Backup: Jesse Williams

Wild cards: Bruce Irvin, Chris Clemons

The defensive line will be a fascinating study in talent combinations, as the Seahawks have a variety of different options in 2013. How all the players come together in order to form a unit will be interesting to observe.

On paper, your starters will be the veterans, but Seattle will likely look to get rookies like Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams into the mix. Then there are the questions surrounding Bruce Irvin and Chris Clemons.

When Bruce Irvin returns from his suspension, what will be his role? Is he big enough to be a consistent defensive end in this league?

It will also be interesting to see what Clemons looks like when he comes back from injury. Will he be the same player? Or will the Seahawks quickly find that he is unable to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks?

The defensive line is not necessarily a work in progress, but it does have a lot of different possibilities.

Linebacker

Starter: Heath Farwell

Starter: Bobby Wagner

Starter: K.J. Wright

Backup: Malcolm Smith

Backup: Mike Morgan

Backup: Allen Bradford

Wild cards: John Lotulelei and Ty Powell

It is fair to suggest the Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright are comfortable picks at starting linebacker. Heath Farwell and Malcolm Smith may switch their spots depending on how camp unfolds.

For the Seahawks, the question will be the backup positions and whether rookies such as John Lotulelei and Ty Powell can make their presence felt on the defense. Pete Carroll likes an aggressive, active linebacking corps, and he is not afraid to give young players an opportunity to prove their worth.

Assume that this depth chart could see a bit of shuffling before the season gets started.

Secondary

Starter: Richard Sherman

Starter: Brandon Browner

Starter: Kam Chancellor

Starter: Earl Thomas

Backup: Jeremy Lane

Backup: Byron Maxwell

Backup: Winston Guy

Backup: Jeron Johnson

Backup: Chris Maragos

Backup: Antoine Winfield

Backup: Walter Thurmond

Wild card: Tharold Simon

Lots of options here. Lots of questions.

You can pencil in the starters, as the combination of Sherman, Browner, Chancellor and Thomas should still be one of the best secondaries in the NFL. Beyond that, much will depend on health and certain performances.

How much does Antoine Winfield have left in the tank? Can rookie Tharold Simon make this team and beat out some veterans?

Yet again, Pete Carroll has some position battles and some opportunities to let the best athlete win. Get ready for some interesting fights on the field.

Special Teams

Starter: Steven Hauschka

Starter: Jon Ryan

Starter: Clint Gresham

Starter: Percy Harvin (K/PR)

Not a lot of drama with special teams in terms of the kicking game. The Seahawks re-signed Steven Hauschka, mostly because he has been relatively reliable and there were few other options.

The only question will be how the ‘Hawks handle Percy Harvin and kick returns. In theory, Harvin has the potential to be a truly electric return guy, which is saying something for Seattle fans who are used to the dynamic Leon Washington.

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