As we enter the crucial final week of the NFL preseason, the Seattle Seahawks are finalizing their roster decisions. The remaining positions in the lineup are expected to be clarified during the last few practices and the upcoming game against the Cleveland Browns. The official cutdown day falls on Tuesday, August 27, but indications of the finalized roster may emerge well before then. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see which players secure their spots for the regular season, making this a pivotal time for the team.

With that in mind, it’s time to present an updated forecast for the 53-man roster, reflecting the latest developments and performances observed throughout the past week. This analysis aims to provide insights into who is likely to make the cut and how the team’s dynamics might shape up as they head into the new season.

Detailed Breakdown of Offensive Players (25 Total)

Quarterback Position (2 Players): Geno Smith, Sam Howell

Cut: P.J. Walker

Running Back Position (4 Players): Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh, George Holani (R, UDFA)

Cut: Kobe Lewis (R, UDFA), Kairee Robinson (R, UDFA)

Wide Receiver Position (6 Players): DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jake Bobo, Laviska Shenault, Dareke Young

Cut: Dee Eskridge, Easop Winston Jr, Hayden Hatten (R, UDFA), Cody White, Ty Scott

Tight End Position (3 Players): Noah Fant, Brady Russell, AJ Barner (R)

Cut: Tyler Mabry, Jack Westover (R, UDFA)

PUP: Pharaoh Brown

Offensive Line (10 Players): Charles Cross, Abe Lucas, Christian Haynes (R), Laken Tomlinson, Olu Oluwatimi, Connor Williams, Anthony Bradford, George Fant, Sautoa Laumea (R), McClendon Curtis

Cut: Stone Forsythe, Raiqwon O’Neal, Ilm Manning, Garret Greenfield (R, UDFA), Jalen Sundell (R, UDFA), Max Pircher, Michael Jerrell (R)

Comprehensive Assessment of Defensive Players (25 Total)

Defensive Line (6 Players): Byron Murphy II (R), Leonard Williams, Jonathan Hankins, Jarran Reed, Mike Morris, Myles Adams

Cut: Cameron Young, DeVere Levelston (R, UDFA), Kyon Barrs (R, UDFA), Mario Kendricks (R, UDFA)

Outside Linebacker (4 Players): Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, Derick Hall, Dre’Mont Jones

Cut: Darrell Taylor, Sunny Anderson (R, UDFA), Nelson Ceaser (R, UDFA), Jamie Sheriff (R, UDFA)

Inside Linebacker (4 Players): Tyrel Dodson, Jerome Baker, Tyrice Knight (R), Jon Rhattigan

Cut: Patrick O’Connell, Drake Thomas, Devin Richardson (R, UDFA), Blake Lynch, Easton Gibbs

Cornerbacks (7 Players): Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Tre Brown, Artie Burns, D.J. James (R), Nehemiah Pritchett (R), Dee Williams (R, UDFA)

Cut: Carlton Johnson (R, UDFA), Lance Boykin, Willie Roberts (R, UDFA)

Traded: Mike Jackson Sr

Safeties (4 Players): Rayshawn Jenkins, Julian Love, K’Von Wallace, Coby Bryant

Cut: Ty Okada, Marquise Blair

PUP: Jerrick Reed II

Special Teams Overview and Key Players (3 Total)

Punter (1 Player): Michael Dickson

Kicker (1 Player): Jason Myers

Long Snapper (1 Player): Chris Stoll

Insightful Analysis and Notes on the Roster Decisions

• The quarterback situation appears stable, with Geno Smith solidifying his role. The only point of discussion is whether Walker will serve as the emergency QB on the practice squad. However, this seems less critical, as if a QB3 is necessary, the team’s chances are likely compromised.
• Regarding the running back position, I don’t perceive RB3 as a “loser leaves town” scenario, especially considering the modified kickoff rules that could allow for additional spots at skill positions. Currently, despite Kenny McIntosh’s impressive performance against the Titans, Holani seems to have the edge for RB3 due to his proficiency in pass protection and special teams capabilities.
• The wide receiver lineup is likely solidified at least for the top five positions. The only uncertainty is whether a sixth receiver will be retained. Easop Winston Jr may be competing with Dareke Young for this spot, but Young contributes more as a special teams gunner and a blocking receiver.
• The seriousness of Pharaoh Brown’s foot injury is still unknown, which could mean he is a PUP candidate. This may lead the Seahawks to keep three tight ends instead of four at the start of the season. I suspect he may miss some time.
• The offensive line remains a challenging decision. Initially, I considered leaving McClendon Curtis off the roster due to his unimpressive pass protection, yet his versatility as a guard/tackle hybrid is valuable. The availability of Abe Lucas will significantly impact the final cuts, as the Seahawks may consider placing Lucas on the PUP list, hoping he is ready for Week 1. I believe Sautoa Laumea will be added as left guard depth and has the capability to play right tackle, a position he excelled in during college. Michael Jerrell will likely remain on the practice squad.
• The only player I’m uncertain about on the defensive line is Myles Adams, who I believe is a solid depth option and has performed well in both past and current preseasons. If Cameron Young remains on the roster, it might be at the cost of starting the regular season on the PUP list.
• A significant change from my last prediction involves moving on from Darrell Taylor, which would save $3 million against the salary cap. I assume that Dre’Mont Jones will primarily function as an edge rusher, providing the Seahawks with four edge rushers, one of whom can kick inside when necessary. Retaining four outside linebackers is not unusual, and Hall’s performance against the run thus far has positioned him as a favorable option in running situations compared to Taylor.
• The inside linebacker positions appear to be well-defined with the top three players in place. I believe O’Connell has shown better coverage capabilities than Rhattigan, but ultimately, the fourth position is likely a competition between these two players.
• Don’t be misled by the seven cornerbacks listed. While Dee Williams has shown promise in preseason play, the special teams dynamics seem to favor Shenault and Williams as the primary returners. In the regular season, Williams’ role may resemble that of Matthew Slater for the New England Patriots, serving more as a specialist. I still anticipate the Seahawks moving on from Mike Jackson Sr., as his future with the team seems uncertain in both the short and long term.
• Safety is well-established, with no indications that Jerrick Reed II’s return is imminent. Although Ty Okada has displayed potential in preseason, he remains behind K’Von Wallace and Coby Bryant on the depth chart.
• There are no concerns regarding the special teams unit. I’m not worried about Jason Myers’ missed PATs unless this trend continues into the regular season.