Predicting Seattle Seahawks’ 53-Man Roster in 2013
Who Will Make the Seattle Seahawks' 53-Man Roster?
Heading into the 2013 campaign, the Seattle Seahawks have arguably the strongest roster in the NFL. Stacked with tons of top-tier talent, the Seahawks are going to be one of the favorites to come away with the NFC crown when all is said and done this season.
The first step towards the Seahawks’ run at a Super Bowl victory in 2014 is cutting down their 90-man roster to 53 players, a tall task considering the amount of talent. With training camp and the preseason still ahead, Seattle will have plenty of time to weed out the weaknesses and lock down the top assets.
While the majority of the starting spots are currently filled for the Seahawks, the depth charts at almost every position still need to be worked out between now and Week 1 of the regular season. While some positions will only require a cut or two, others such as wide receiver have up to eight prospects who could get the ax before the final 53-man roster is set. Either way, 37 players must go before the Seahawks face off against the Carolina Panthers on September 8.
The biggest thing to watch during training camp is how some of the Seahawks’ top rookies catch on early. If a couple of them pan out as expected, a number of veterans could find themselves looking for a new home by the time the regular season rolls around.
There’s still plenty of time before the cuts begin, but here’s an early look at how the final 53-man roster could look once training camp and the preseason have come to a close.
Quarterbacks (2)
Russell Wilson, Brady Quinn
With Josh Portis now out of the picture, it’s down to a two-man race for the backup gig behind Wilson. Although Jerrod Johnson is an intriguing young quarterback with the type of athleticism to run the read-option, he simply doesn’t have the overall polish to unseat Quinn for the No. 2 spot. With needs at other positions, the Seahawks likely won’t hold more than two quarterbacks heading into the regular season.
Running Backs (5)
Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, Christine Michael, Michael Robinson (FB), Spencer Ware (FB)
At this point, the Seahawks are pretty much set at running back. Lynch will be the starter in 2013 while Turbin and Michael provide depth at the position. Derrick Coleman and Dominique Whaley are both extreme longshots, especially considering the immense talent between the top three runners. Robinson is the starting fullback, but the Seahawks could hold on to Ware as a running back/fullback hybrid. The practice squad could also be an option for Ware.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (8)
Percy Harvin (WR), Sidney Rice (WR), Golden Tate (WR), Doug Baldwin (WR), Chris Harper (WR), Zach Miller (TE), Luke Willson (TE), A Veteran Tight End
The Seahawks are set at wide receiver. With Harvin and Rice starting, Tate, Baldwin and Harper should all find ways to produce as well. Meanwhile, the other eight wide receivers on the roster will fall victim to cuts, but one or two could be retained via the practice squad. There is some concern at tight end following the loss of Anthony McCoy, which leaves Miller and Willson as the top two at the position. The injury could open a door for Sean McGrath or Darren Fells, but the likely scenario is that the Seahawks add an experienced veteran via free agency instead.
Offensive Line (10)
Russell Okung (OT), Breno Giacomini (OT), Mike Person (OT), Michael Bowie (OT), James Carpenter (G), Paul McQuistan (G), John Moffitt (G), J.R. Sweezy (G), Max Unger (C), Lemuel Jeanpierre (C)
The tackle position is pretty set, with only undrafted rookie Alvin Bailey getting the ax. With guards aplenty, though, the Seahawks have some moves to make. McQuistan and Carpenter will likely start in 2013, with Moffitt and Sweezy providing depth on the interior. That leaves players such as Rishaw Johnson, Jared Smith and Ryan Seymour to battle for a spot on the practice squad. The Seahawks only have two centers on the roster, so Unger and Jeanpierre will likely stay put for now.
Defensive Line (9)
Cliff Avril (DE), Red Bryant (DE), Michael Bennett (DE), Chris Clemons (DE), Bruce Irvin (DE), Brandon Mebane (DT), Jordan Hill (DT), Jaye Howard (DT), Jesse Williams (DT)
It didn’t take long for the Seahawks’ defensive line to go from average to elite. With Avril and Bennett now in the mix, Seattle will suddenly field one of the best lines in the NFL. While Greg Scruggs is headed for the IR, Kenneth Boatright and Benson Mayowa will likely be roster casualties. At defensive tackle, the Seahawks have a duo of promising rookies, Hill and Williams, who will force the Seahawks to part ways with veterans such as Tony McDaniel and Clinton McDonald. Meanwhile, Mebane and Howard should continue to be an integral part of the defensive tackle rotation.
Linebackers (6)
K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner, Malcolm Smith, Heath Farwell, Korey Toomer, Ty Powell
It’ll be interest to see how the second half of the linebacker depth chart plays out during training camp. Wright, Wagner and Smith appear to be set as the starters heading into 2013, but the Seahawks will have to decide between several youngsters for the backup spots. Farwell should be safe considering his value on special teams and Toomer showed enough last season to stick around. Powell has a surplus of potential, which could land him a spot. The likes of Michael Morgan, Craig Wilkins and Allen Bradford could all be in the mix for that final linebacker slot.
Defensive Backs (9)
Richard Sherman (CB), Brandon Browner (CB), Antoine Winfield (CB), Jeremy Lane (CB), Tharold Simon (CB), Earl Thomas (FS), Chris Maragos (FS), Kam Chancellor (SS), Jeron Johnson (SS)
The top three cornerbacks, Sherman, Browner and Winfield, are all locked in. Lane showed plenty of promise last season and appears set to take another step in the right direction for the Seahawks. Simon was drafted to learn behind Winfield, and will likely get an early opportunity to contribute. Meanwhile, players like Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell will be forced to look for work elsewhere. As for the safety spots, both Thomas and Chancellor are locks. Maragos is the only backup free safety on the roster, so he gets the nod while Johnson beats out Winston Guy and Ray Polk for the backup strong safety gig.
Special Teams (3)
Steven Hauschka (K), Jon Ryan (P), Clint Gresham (LS)
These are all pretty self-explanatory. Ryan and Gresham are the only players at their position currently on the roster and Hauschka shouldn’t have too much trouble beating out Carson Wiggs for the kicking job.
Gil Alcaraz IV is a Content Planner/NFL Featured Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @GilAlcarazIV, like him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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