Shortly after the 2019 NFL draft, we took a stab at predicting the Seattle Seahawks 53-man roster for the 2019 season.
While we correctly predicted the team would sign edge rusher Ezekiel Ansah, we did not anticipate the signings of corner Jamar Taylor, defensive tackle Al Woods, fullback Nick Bellore and backup center Marcus Martin, which adds more competition to Seattle’s already hyper-competitive roster.
Now that rookie minicamp, OTA’s and mandatory minicamp are all complete, and the team is unlikely to sign any more free agents, here is our second stab at predicting the 53-man roster.
With extremely competitive position battles brewing nearly everywhere on the gridiron, notably at wide receiver, defensive line, offensive line and tight end, this was a tough task to take on.
I counted 72 players that I think have a higher-than-average chance of making this roster, but had to pair it down to 53.
Without further ado, here is my best guess at who will break camp with the Seahawks as they look to make the playoffs again in 2019.
Quarterback (2): Geno Smith, Russell Wilson
The only question surrounding the quarterback position in Seattle is which former highly-touted quarterback will back up the team’s new $140 million dollar man, Russell Wilson.
The battle is between Paxton Lynch and Geno Smith. Although Lynch has been in town longer, the two have received an equal amount of snaps during minicamp – and coach Carroll feels their performance has been nearly equal as well.
However, Smith fits Seattle’s offense better than Lynch does, and his experience – he’s made 31 NFL starts compared to Lynch’s four – should help him land a role that is almost never utilized thanks to Wilson’s incredible durability.
Running Back (5): Nick Bellore, Chris Carson, Travis Homer, J.D. McKissic, Rashaad Penny
The last cut on my roster was C.J. Prosise, who sat out part of Thursday’s minicamp with a nagging hamstring injury. The Seahawks have been reluctant to part with the 2016 third-rounder, but his inability to stay healthy – along with the addition of Travis Homer and the presence of J.D. McKissic – could finally push Prosise out the door.
Carson and Penny are 1A and 1B on the running back depth chart, and rookie Travis Homer looks primed to take over Mike Davis’ old role as the team’s third down back.
McKissic and Prosise will battle it out for that final spot, although McKissic appears to have the upper hand thanks in large part to his ability as a kick and punt returner. The team hopes to transition Tyler Lockett away from that spot, and having McKissic fill that role would be a nice bonus for this team.
Bellore will fill the role that Tre Madden filled last season, primarily as a special teamer but occasionally in the offense as a lead blocker and pass catcher when necessary.
Wide Receiver (5): Jaron Brown, Gary Jennings, Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, David Moore
Even without Doug Baldwin, the Seahawks will have a very competitive battle at the wide receiver spot during training camp.
Tyler Lockett, David Moore and DK Metcalf all seem like locks to crack the 53-man roster, but it gets a little murky beyond that. Jaron Brown was originally a player I thought would get cut, but coach Carroll and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer have both raved about Brown’s performance over the offseason, which points to a bigger role for the veteran receiver in 2019.
Assuming Brown makes the cut, that leaves Keenan Reynolds, Amara Darboh, Malik Turner, Caleb Scott, Jazz Ferguson and Terry Wright competing with two draft picks, Gary Jennings and John Ursua, for one spot.
Yikes.
I ultimately think it will come down to Jennings and Reynolds, with the rest of them all candidates to make the practice squad. Ultimately, the battle between Jennings and Reynolds is going to come down to Jennings’ health.
The West Virginia product missed all of rookie minicamp and OTA’s with a nagging hamstring injury, but he began participating during minicamp – with coach Carroll indicating the rookie has a lot of catching up to do.
If he gets caught up – which I think he does – then he has the best chance of claiming that No. 5 spot in Seattle’s crowded receiving corps. Don’t count out Reynolds just yet though, especially if Jennings struggles to stay healthy.
Tight End (3): Will Dissly, Jacob Hollister, Nick Vannett
The Seahawks have a lot of solid options at tight end heading into 2019. Will Dissly and Nick Vannett are the two candidates who are almost guaranteed to keep their roster spots, as long as they are healthy.
Veteran Ed Dickson is the casualty here, as the team can cut him and save $4.4 million in cap space. It sure seems like coach Carroll likes what he has in former Patriots tight end Jacob Hollister, which would probably lead to Dickson’s release.
“We’re really fired up that we got Jacob,” Carroll commented after the final day of minicamp on Thursday. “He’s different. This is a different dimension receiver at the tight end spot. He’s feisty and aggressive and sticks his head in there.”
Hollister isn’t a great run blocker, but that is Dissly’s forte, and the team made it clear they plan to continue utilizing tackle George Fant at tight end as well.
Offensive Line (10): Justin Britt, Duane Brown, George Fant, D.J. Fluker, Phil Haynes, Germain Ifedi, Mike Iupati, Jamarco Jones, Ethan Pocic, Jordan Simmons
Four of Seattle’s five starters on the offensive line return for the 2019 season: Duane Brown, Justin Britt, D.J. Fluker and Germain Ifedi.
Seattle plans to replace J.R Sweezy with veteran guard Mike Iupati, giving them a very experienced offensive line for Russell Wilson and company next season.
Beyond the starters, Seattle has a lot of competition for the other remaining spots. George Fant and Phil Haynes seem extremely likely to hold down backup guard and tackle spots, with Fant playing some tight end as well.
The final two (or three) spots will be a competition between Jordan Simmons, Jamarco Jones, Ethan Pocic, Marcus Martin, Joey Hunt, Jordan Roos, Elijah Nkansah and Demetrius Knox.
Simmons and Jones are two young players that showed a lot of promise before getting injured last year, and I suspect coach Carroll and O-line coach Mike Solari will want to keep both of them around for the future – since the current starting unit is getting up there in age.
That leaves Pocic, Hunt and Martin to compete for the backup center job. While fans won’t like this, I don’t think the team is ready to give up Pocic – their 2017 second round pick – just yet.
His versatility is valuable, and if the team feels they can help him reach his potential, they won’t want to give up on him – even if it costs them Hunt and Martin.
Defensive Line (9): Ezekiel Ansah, L.J. Collier, Poona Ford, Rasheem Green, Quinton Jefferson, Nazair Jones, Cassius Marsh, Jarran Reed, Al Woods
I wrestled with this position a lot. The team has 11 or 12 players who could realistically make the roster here, as well as a few linebackers (Jacob Martin and Shaquem Griffin) who will probably set the edge some next year as well.
However, Seattle needs to replace Frank Clark’s production in the pass rush, and it will take more than one player to do that.
The team has five players, Ezekiel Ansah, L.J. Coller, Quinton Jefferson, Rasheem Green and Cassius Marsh, set to rotate on the defensive end spots.
That leaves four other players – Jarran Reed, Poona Ford, Al Woods and Nazair Jones – to stuff the run on the defensive interior.
Even though coach Carroll indicated they plan to have Jones play more five-tech next season, with four new additions at that spot, it may be hard for him to carve out a role on the outside.
I expect the team will keep Jones, although he could end up a frequent member of the inactive list on gameday if he doesn’t show some improvement from his disappointing 2018 season.
Sixth round draft pick DeMarcus Christmas is a casualty here, although I think the team will try to keep him on the practice squad if possible.
Linebackers (7): Cody Barton, Ben Burr-Kirven, Shaquem Griffin, Mychal Kendricks, Jacob Martin, Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright
Perhaps the toughest position battle to evaluate. The team has three clear-cut starters: Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright and Mychal Kendricks – assuming Kendricks can suit up as he is still waiting on a sentencing following a guilty plea for insider trading.
If he is a full-go, that leaves Jacob Martin, Barkevious Mingo, Austin Calitro, Shaquem Griffin, Emmanuel Ellerbee and the two rookies; Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven, all vying for a handful of backup spots.
Coach Carroll has talked at length about the team’s decision to transition both Martin and Griffin into pass rushing roles next season, and it seems unlikely that either will get cut – unless of course they struggle to adapt at their new positions.
Neither rookie is likely to get cut either, which leaves Calitro, Ellerbee and the veteran Mingo on the outside looking in – in my opinion. Cutting Mingo would save the team $5.3 million in cap space, which is a fairly hefty sum – even for a team that has plenty of cap room to work with.
If Kendricks ends up serving time, Mingo’s job will likely be safe.
Cornerbacks (5): Tre Flowers, Shaquill Griffin, Akeem King, Jamar Taylor, Neiko Thorpe
One of the few positions the Seahawks didn’t pursue in the NFL draft, the outside cornerback positions figure to be filled by both Tre Flowers and Shaquill Griffin again in 2019.
However, with Justin Coleman’s departure to the Lions in free agency, the team has a hole to fill at the nickelback spot. Akeem King and Jamar Taylor are both candidates to fill that spot, along with Kalan Reed and rookie safety Ugo Amadi.
I expect Amadi and King to be the primary nickel backs next season, with Taylor and Thorpe serving as versatile backups and special teamers.
However, Reed is a dark horse to watch at this spot.
Safeties (4): Ugo Amadi, Marquise Blair, Bradley McDougald, Tedric Thompson
Seattle drafted two safeties, Marquise Blair and Ugo Amadi, replenishing depth at a key position in Pete Carroll’s defense following Earl Thomas’ departure in free agency.
Bradley McDougald is expected to reprise his role in the secondary, although he is capable of starting at both strong or free safety, which gives Seattle added flexibility.
The two rookies are going to make the roster – barring injuries – so the final spot (assuming they only keep four) will likely come down to Tedric Thompson and Lano (formerly Delano) Hill.
Hill has been battling injuries throughout the offseason, and I think T2’s strong performance down the stretch gives him the edge for that roster spot.
Of course, the team could keep all five players, especially if they plan to utilize Amadi in the nickel role – a spot he played quite a bit during rookie minicamp.
Special Teams (3): Michael Dickson, Jason Myers, Tyler Ott
Coach Carroll is really fired up about 2018 Pro Bowler Jason Myers, who is the only kicker the team has in camp. They also only have one long-snapper, Tyler Ott, and one punter in All-Pro Michael Dickson.
Always want to end on a high-note, and I feel pretty confident about the specialty players at this point.
