Roster history

The following table shows how many players the Seahawks kept at each position last year on the day they cut down to 53 players. It also shows the average keep at each position since Pete Carroll and John Schneider arrived in 2010. Finally, it tallies my current projections for keep by position, and how that would differ from what the team kept last season.

Steady state

No changes here since last week. I have the Seahawks keeping one extra defensive linemen, one fewer linebacker, one more corner, and one fewer safeties than where I started. I am least confident about the defensive line and linebacker changes. I swapped a linebacker for a lineman because I now believe the better player is on the defensive line.

Current 53-man roster predictions

This table shows which players I currently expect to make the final cut, with a little color coding to represent my relative level of confidence. We are getting pretty solidified here. Not a ton of movement.

 

 

Predictions of note

Kasen Williams earns a spot, Amara Darboh has not

 

Kasen Williams has done everything one could ask for this preseason to earn a roster spot. Last week, I still had him on the outside looking in because he needed to prove the Chargers game was not an aberration. He also needed to show he can make plays on special teams. He accomplished both against the Vikings, and now only need stay healthy to break camp with the squad.

Amara Darboh played in his first game and exited after one target where he received a concussion. He still will be given every chance to sew up the final receiver spot, but needs to start showing something on the field.

 

J.D. McKissic slides off the roster

I have been banging the McKissic drum since the second day of training camp. I still see unique value that he adds to the team, but he has yet to make an impact on the field and had a negative play when he fumbled a punt against the Vikings. The Seahawks may not want Tyler Lockett returning kicks anytime soon, and if that is the case, they will need McKissic. If that happens, it could come at the expense of Tanner McEvoy.

 

David Bass and Marcus Smith make their cases

Bass was once again a highlight for the Seahawks, earning the top grade among all defenders in the game, per PFF. He showed he can rush both inside and out, despite his small stature. Smith had a tackle for loss and showed some pass rush. Both are too promising to let walk. Watch out for Quinton Jefferson, who played in his first game and flashed a bit. He may be a late charger on the roster.

 

Matt Tobin in, Marcus Lucas out

Tobin was added yesterday as part of a trade with the Eagles, and the Seahawks cut tight end Marcus Lucas as a result. Lucas has played well, but it is highly unlikely the team would have kept four tight ends, and Tyrone Swoopes is a more promising practice squad candidate. Tobin cost the team a 5th round pick, so one can assume he will be on the final roster.

 

Running back room all but settled

No changes here despite the big numbers from Alex Collins and Mike Davis. I just don’t see any way either one of those players dislodges the four backs ahead of them.

 

Pierre Desir vs Deandre Elliott heats up

The battle for the sixth corner spot is tight, and that assumes the team will keep six. Both Elliott and Desir have played well.

 

Tedric Thompson has not done enough yet

I still believe the team will value Desir or Elliott over Thompson. That could change if they think they could sneak one of those corners to the practice squad more easily than their fourth round pick in Thompson. He had an interception on Friday, but it was not a particularly impressive play. He also gave up a touchdown.