Field Gulls
One down, two more preseason games to go for the Seattle Seahawks before the difficult process of final roster cuts. While there are still a couple of training camp practices open to the public, the greater focus for fans will be on those remaining exhibitions (and even reports from the joint scrimmage with the Green Bay Packers). There are still roster spots to be decided and starting jobs to be won!
Here’s my latest roster projection following Thursday’s 23-23 tie with the Las Vegas Raiders. For reference, here was my projection from two weeks ago.
Quarterback (3): Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe (R)
Cut: N/A
Notes: These are your three QBs. Unless they want to trade Lock to a backup-needy team, there is no discussion about the hierarchy.
Running Back (3): Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, George Holani
Cut: Anthony Tyus, Jacardia Wright, Damien Martinez
Notes: Here is my first change from the last projection. This was not just a “Raiders game” determination, it’s an observation based on reports and the practices I attended. Holani was getting more reps with the 2s than Martinez at the Lumen Field practice, which may or may not have coincided with Martinez fumbling the ball the day prior. In the Raiders game, Holani clearly outshined Martinez and he has that special teams experience that Martinez not just lacks, but made worse by muffing a kickoff. Either the top four get kept or Martinez goes. There is no need to keep four RBs when you can just elevate a fourth guy from the practice squad or eventually sign them from the PS. A fourth RB is getting healthy scratches almost every week in the NFL, so please do not freak out over “but what about injuries?!!”
Fullback (1): Robbie Ouzts (R)
Cut: N/A
Notes: OUZZZZZZZZTTTTSSSSS.
Wide Receiver (5): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Jake Bobo, Tory Horton (R)
Cut: Ricky White (R), Steven Sims, Dareke Young, Cody White, Tyrone Broden, John Rhys Plumlee
Notes: Another change from last projection is the removal of Steven Sims, who is listed as a starting returner but could just as easily be bounced for George Holani if the latter makes the roster. I wouldn’t be surprised if MVS is traded (not cut, because they save little money and take on another $3 million in dead cap) after a fairly uneventful training camp, but the fact that he wasn’t playing in the Raiders game may be an indication that they’ll still keep him around. If MVS is removed, I believe Dareke Young would take his spot. Broden is easy practice squad material and so are Ricky White and Sims.
Tight End (4): Elijah Arroyo (R), A.J. Barner, Eric Saubert, Brady Russell
Cut: Marshall Lang, Nick Kallerup
Notes: Russell was on my cut list last time, but not this time. His special teams value will keep him on the roster.
Offensive Line (10): **Charles Cross, Abe Lucas, Josh Jones, Christian Haynes, Anthony Bradford, Sataoa Laumea,...
