Seattle Seahawks: Predictions for Their Final 53-Man Roster

The Seahawks have a favorable issue in trimming down to their final 53-man roster. Unlike last season, they have several quality players that are in jeopardy of not making the squad.

Seattle has a few keys they need to fill, and there will most certainly be an addition or two from waiver wire claims. In particular, they could still use help at RT after letting three capable blockers walk before the season started. They also still need a power-blocking fullback.

There are a few position battles that will bring intrigue following their final preseason game, particularly with the offensive skill positions and the defensive backs. Several players will have their final audition tonight for a chance to make the final roster for the Seahawks.

FINAL ROSTER:

There were a few surprises.  The Seahawks opted to keep seven linebackers, giving Matt McCoy a roster spot.  They kept nine defensive backs, knocking Mark LeGree off my list.  They also kept two offensive lineman that I had not making the final cut, releasing two I had on my roster.

An injury to the DL last night also made room on the roster for a player I had not making the list.

Congratulations to those that made the final cut, and best wishes to those headed to the practice squad or other franchises.

Offensive Line: 9 Roster Spots

Not any surprises here...at least not yet. Seattle will keep a keen eye on the waiver wire for an upgrade at right tackle.  

If Seattle finds an option at RT, it will make for a difficult decision. They will need to part ways with one of their reserves. Mike Gibson provides depth at every position; Tyler Polumbus has shown versatility as well.

Paul Fanaika would likely be the odd man out.

LT: Russell Okung

LT: Tyler Polumbus

LG: Robert Gallery

G/C: Mike Gibson

C: Max Unger

RG: John Moffitt

RG: Paul Fanaika

RT: Breno Giacomini

RT: James Carpenter

FINAL ROSTER:

LT: Russell Okung

LT: Tyler Polumbus

LG: Robert Gallery

G/C: Lemuel Jeanpierre

C: Max Unger

RG: John Moffitt

OT: Paul McQuistan

RT: Breno Giacomini

RT: James Carpenter

Tight End: 3 Roster Spots

The injury to John Carlson made this an easy decision...for now. Cameron Morrah will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. He'll need a roster spot when he is eligible to return, as he will be the second-best tight end on the roster.

TE: Zach Miller

TE: Anthony McCoy

TE: Dominique Byrd

PUP: Cameron Morrah

FINAL ROSTER:

As projected...

Wide Receiver: 6 Roster Spots

There is a lot of speculation on how many receivers the Seahawks will keep on their 53-man roster. I don't see them willing to give up on Golden Tate, nor will they part ways with Doug Baldwin.

Six wide receivers is actually the average number the Seahawks have maintained on their opening roster over recent seasons. They've kept as many as seven, but held just five in coach Carroll's first year at the helm.

The big decision will come when Deon Butler is eligible to return...provided he doesn't end up sitting out the season on the injured reserve list. The Seahawks may look to make a trade, as Bulter is looking to be duplicitous with Tate and Baldwin on the roster.

WR 1: Mike Williams

WR 1: Ben Obomanu

WR 1: Kris Durham

WR 2: Sidney Rice

WR 2: Doug Baldwin

WR 2: Golden Tate

PUP: Deon Butler

FINAL ROSTER:

As projected...

Running Back: 4 Roster Spots

While the number of spots won't come as a surprise, the bodies will.  

Seattle committed themselves to Leon Washington with a big contract, and he needs to find a way to contribute on the offense.  His kick return prowess has turned into a glorified shag-guy with the new kickoff rule. So far in the preseason, Washington has been Seattle's most productive runner.

Seattle could see a roster change in the coming days. The possible addition of a waived fullback, such as Stanley Havili, will create a competition with Michael Robinson. Seattle has shown time and again they need more push from their fullback.

There is a possibility the team opts to keep 26 offensive players, but the talent and scheme fits in the secondary make this unlikely.  Thomas Clayton has played well against reserves but isn't likely to demand a roster spot.

RB: Marshawn Lynch

RB: Leon Washington

RB: Justin Forsett

FB: Michael Robinson

FINAL ROSTER:

As projected...

Quarterback: 3 Roster Spots

Josh Portis has shown enough in training camp and preseason games to earn a roster spot. Seattle could try to slide him through waivers and onto the practice squad, but his long-term promise (and salary figure) make that too risky of a proposition.

QB: Tarvaris Jackson

QB: Charlie Whitehurst

QB: Josh Portis

FINAL ROSTER:

As projected...

Defensive Line: 9 Roster Spots

Seattle opted to keep 10 defensive linemen last season. This was in part due to the new bodies in the lineup. With an established group of veterans, the Seahawks will trim this number by one to allow them to keep an extra body in the secondary.

The team will have a decision to make when Colin Cole is eligible to return. He will most certainly be asked to restructure his contract. If he does, Junior Siavii's days could be numbered in Seattle...unless there is a member of the secondary that isn't being utilized.  

Keeping youth will mean little to the Seahawks this season, as most of their secondary is quite young. 

LDE: Chris Clemons

LDE: Raheem Brock

3 DT: Alan Branch

3 DT: Lazarius "Pep" Levingston

1 DT: Brandon Mebane

DT: Clinton McDonald

DT: Junior Siavii

RDE: Red Bryant

RDE: Jimmy Wilkerson

PUP: Colin Cole

FINAL ROSTER:

As expected, except Jimmy Wilkerson's injury in the final preseason game lands him on injured reserve, making room for Dexter Davis.  Colin Cole is released instead of being placed on PUP.

LDE: Chris Clemons

LDE: Raheem Brock

3 DT: Alan Branch

3 DT: Lazarius "Pep" Levingston

1 DT: Brandon Mebane

DT: Clinton McDonald

DT: Junior Siavii

RDE: Red Bryant

RDE: Dexter Davis

IR: Jimmy Wilkerson

Released:

DT: Colin Cole

DL Maurice Fountain

DE David Howard

LB/DE Jameson Konz

DE A.J. Schable

Linebacker: 6 Roster Spots

This is another one of the easy projections to make. Then again, when it comes to coach Carroll, one never knows when a surprise is going to pop up.  

David Vobora, with a good showing in tonight's game, could make a push for a roster spot.  He is a talented linebacker with three years experience and just 25 years old.

Vobora's future with Seattle will likely be the result of whom coach Carroll feels is more important...a seventh TE or an extra defensive back.  Jeron Johnson or Byron Maxwell could be the odd man out if Seattle opts to keep Vobora. 

WLB: Aaron Curry

WLB: Matt McCoy David Vobora

MLB: David Hawthorne

MLB: K.J. Wright

SLB: Leroy Hill

SLB: Malcolm Smith

Following the final preseason game, Vobora looks like he earned the final roster spot at linebacker.

FINAL ROSTER:

As predicted, except Vobora making the squad did not cost Matt McCoy a spot.

WLB: Aaron Curry

WLB: Matt McCoy 

WLB: David Vobora

MLB: David Hawthorne

MLB: K.J. Wright

SLB: Leroy Hill

SLB: Malcolm Smith

Defensive Backs: 10 Roster Spots

This is where some of the "boldness" creeps in...the Seahawks have kept eight defensive backs in most of their recent seasons. However, the team has a nice problem this season...a talented group of young players that fill special needs in the secondary.

It will be difficult to trim the list below 11 or 12 players, let alone down to eight. Thin options at linebacker and Colin Cole starting out on the PUP will buy them a little time with roster decisions.

With the way some of the younger players are performing and the restructured contract for Marcus Trufant, there was a slight chance of him being involved in a trade.  

The following list leaves Kennard Cox and Josh Pinkard off the final 53-man roster. These will be difficult players to part with, and one of them could be kept over Byron Maxwell, who offers the most value on special teams. 

LCB: Marcus Trufant

LCB: Richard Sherman

RCB: Walter Thurmond

RCB: Brandon Browner

SS: Kam Chancellor

SS: Atari Bigby

SS: Jeron Johnson

FS: Earl Thomas

FS: Mark LeGree

CB/ST: Byron Maxwell

FINAL ROSTER:

As projected except Mark LeGree did not make final roster.

LCB: Marcus Trufant

LCB: Richard Sherman

RCB: Walter Thurmond

RCB: Brandon Browner

CB: Byron Maxwell

SS: Kam Chancellor

FS: Earl Thomas

DB: Atari Bigby

DB: Jeron Johnson

Special Teams: 3 Roster Spots

K: Jeff Reed

P: Jon Ryan

LS: Clint Gresham

FINAL ROSTER:

As projected...