Each Friday leading into the season I will share my current projected 53-man roster. It has already changed substantially and will continue to do so. Usually, I will cover it on HB Mornings, but I will do my best to get it up on the blog as well.

Roster outlook

This is Mike Macdonald’s first season as a head coach. Therefore, we don’t have a lot of history to look back on for how he sets his final roster. What we do have is the numbers he kept at each defensive position over the last two seasons in Baltimore while he was the defensive coordinator.

The table below shows his keeps for 2023, as well as his average over both seasons. It also shows my current projected keep numbers for each position group. Note, that DL in Macdonald’s world includes nose tackles and defensive ends, but not edge rushers/outside linebackers. I have split outside and inside linebackers into separate buckets.

The final column shows the difference between my projections and what Macdonald kept last season.

Current projections

Quarterbacks

Straightforward here. Geno Smith and Sam Howell make the roster. PJ Walker likely to practice squad as emergency third quarterback.

Running backs

Much tougher here. Walker and Charbonnet are locks. Most thought Kenny McIntosh would be as well when coming into camp. Now, he might be behind two players by the time camp breaks. I have George Holani squarely ahead of him, and I am projecting Kobe Lewis to leapfrog him as well after preseason games complete. Most controversially, I have the Seahawks keeping only three backs. Guys like Brady Russell and Pharaoh Brown can play H-Back, and I think they need to keep an extra receiver for the return game. Also, I think they can stash almost any of those guys on the practice squad and have them available to call up if needed.

Wide receivers

This is a huge battle at the back of the room. Metcalf, Lockett, Smith-Njigba and Bobo are locks. I have the team keeping two more. Shenault, Winston, and Eskridge all have been getting turns at returner. Dareke Young is excellent on special teams and provides some versatility as a runner. I am currently projecting Young and Shenault make the roster, but Winston is making it tough. Cody White has had a good camp as well, and if he can have a big preseason on special teams, he could fight his way into the conversation. Eskridge has not done enough yet. Hayden Hatten is a good bet for the practice squad.

Tight ends

Fant and Brown are locks. I have moved Barner from a lock to high confidence. He has not had the best camp, and guys like Russell and Mabry are reliable and quality special teams players. Russell, especially, could hop Barner on the depth chart. I do have the team keeping four at this position. It would be the first place I would look to trim if I decided to go back to four running backs. All these guys outside of maybe Barner could be stowed on a practice squad.

Offensive line

For the first time, I am projecting Abe Lucas to start the year on PUP. There is no sign of him returning sooner right now, and the team is in good hands with Fant and others at right tackle. I am choosing to buy the hype that Connor Williams will be ready for the season and including him on the roster. We will learn more next week. Oluwatimi and Harris become a battle for the backup role. Raiqwon O’Neal has a decent shot to make it as a backup guard with both Lucas and one of Harris/Oluwatimi not on the 53. I am high on Jerrell and believe the team is as well. I think he makes the roster. They don’t want to lose him.

Defensive line

Such a deep room. Macondald has kept as few as four in the past. That would be a deep cut. It would not shock me if they keep six, with Myles Adams sneaking on.

Inside linebackers

Not as deep of a room. I assume Baker will be healthy in time for the season. I also think both Rhattigan and O’Connell make it for special team purposes. I would be thrilled if this number went down to four, but Macdonald has kept five both years in Baltimore, so I am going with that for now. This is the most likely place for an addition late via trade.

Edge/Outside linebackers

Pretty straightforward except for the final spot. Darrell Taylor would seem to be the best guess but Nelson Ceasar has impressed and could snag it from Taylor, who would save the team $3M if he was cut.

Cornerbacks

Macdonald kept seven at this position last year. That seems like too much, especially with the new kickoff rules that are allowing teams to carry more edge and line players. There could be some surprises here if they can find a trade market for Mike Jackson. I think James and Johnson have had better camps than Pritchett. Lance Boykin could work his way back into this conversation as well.

Safeties

This should be pretty clear cut.

Special teams

Punting god Michael Dickson reprises his role.