- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 544,881
- Reaction score
- 47
The Seattle Seahawks will begin their first of nine Organized Team Activities (OTA) practices on Tuesday. Though this portion of the offseason remains voluntary, roster battles will begin taking shape. With the Seahawks officially on the practice field, we've delivered our way-too-early 53-man roster projection for the defense.
Johnathan Hankins and Jarran Reed return in run-stopping roles. Rylie Mills should be a roster lock as a rookie fifth-round pick. In this scenario, Mike Morris was the 53rd and final man on the team. The Seahawks are hoping for a step forward from Byron Murphy II.
DeMarcus Lawrence, Boye Mafe, and Derick Hall should do the heavy lifting. Anything the Seahawks get from the oft-injured Uchenna Nwosu is a bonus, though he should provide valuable depth if healthy. UDFA Jared Ivey provides flexible depth as an inside-outside option.
The Seahawks are fairly thin at off-ball linebacker. Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight are the unquestioned starters. Drake Thomas led the Seahawks in special teams snaps last season, so he makes the roster again. Josh Ross, Patrick O'Connell, and D'Eryk Jackson compete for the fourth spot.
The Seahawks should still add a veteran cornerback like Rasul Douglas or Shaq Griffin. They've shown interest in both free-agent corners. In this scenario, the likes of Shemar Jean-Charles and Zy Alexander act as placeholders until an agreement is reached.
Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, and Coby Bryant should form a stellar trio at safety. D'Anthony Bell is a veteran with special teams experience. If Mike Macdonald keeps a fifth safety, Jerrick Reed, AJ Finley, and Ty Okada are in the mix.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: OTAs Seahawks 53-man roster projection: Defense
Continue reading...
Defensive line (6): Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Johnathan Hankins, Jarran Reed, Rylie Mills, Mike Morris
Johnathan Hankins and Jarran Reed return in run-stopping roles. Rylie Mills should be a roster lock as a rookie fifth-round pick. In this scenario, Mike Morris was the 53rd and final man on the team. The Seahawks are hoping for a step forward from Byron Murphy II.
EDGE (5): DeMarcus Lawrence, Derick Hall, Boye Mafe, Uchenna Nwosu, Jared Ivey
DeMarcus Lawrence, Boye Mafe, and Derick Hall should do the heavy lifting. Anything the Seahawks get from the oft-injured Uchenna Nwosu is a bonus, though he should provide valuable depth if healthy. UDFA Jared Ivey provides flexible depth as an inside-outside option.
Linebacker (4): Tyrice Knight, Ernest Jones IV, Drake Thomas, Patrick O'Connell
The Seahawks are fairly thin at off-ball linebacker. Ernest Jones IV and Tyrice Knight are the unquestioned starters. Drake Thomas led the Seahawks in special teams snaps last season, so he makes the roster again. Josh Ross, Patrick O'Connell, and D'Eryk Jackson compete for the fourth spot.
Cornerback (5): Riq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett, Shemar Jean-Charles, Zy Alexander
The Seahawks should still add a veteran cornerback like Rasul Douglas or Shaq Griffin. They've shown interest in both free-agent corners. In this scenario, the likes of Shemar Jean-Charles and Zy Alexander act as placeholders until an agreement is reached.
Safety (5): Julian Love, Coby Bryant, Nick Emmanwori, D'Anthony Bell, Jerrick Reed
Julian Love, Nick Emmanwori, and Coby Bryant should form a stellar trio at safety. D'Anthony Bell is a veteran with special teams experience. If Mike Macdonald keeps a fifth safety, Jerrick Reed, AJ Finley, and Ty Okada are in the mix.
This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: OTAs Seahawks 53-man roster projection: Defense
Continue reading...
