Version 2.0
This went hard mode with so many exciting players to choose from and losing McDowell changes up the depth needs at DL.
The only way my roster works is with a trade or I saw my self carrying trying to decide between 6 RBs, 6 WRs, 12 DBs.
Although if I wait a month im sure we'll lose players to injuries or a faux medical red-shirt. But can't really project that.
So let's get that trade out of the way...which I alluded to in my first post... So its not really a big surprise.
Jermaine Kearse + Jeremy Lane
To Tampa Bay For
Clinton McDonald + 2018 4th Round pick (for eating those SB).
Why it works? Seahawks need an interior pass-rush presence over 280 pounds. With McDowell and Jordan both looking doubtful, Seahawks probably lost both plan A and plan C, respectively, for thier vision.
McDonald provides a solid option that is both experienced and familiar within the system.
Tampa Bay could use more competition at the 3 and 4 spots behind Evans and Jackson at WR. Kearse would help solidify thier depth much more there than he would here.
Lane is the centerpiece of the trade, and why Seahawks net the 4th rounder. Despite a sub-par 2016, Lane in whole has been a pretty solid and versatile DB overall. TB has promise in Heargreaves but will rely on 34 year old Brent Grimes and a flurry of lesser known, unproven players. Lane provides experience and versatility and will strengthen thier DB corps.
Seahawks would save 4.2m against the cap this season with taking on McDonald's contract. But Kearse and Lane would cost 4.3m in 2018. So if they don't utilize that cap, they can just roll it over to kind of break even (Although they don't really in whole).
53-Man Roster
QB: Wilson, Boykins
RB: Lacy, Rawls, Carson
XB: Prosise, McKissic
FB: Reece
WR: Baldwin, Lockett, Darboh
WR: Richardson, McEvoy,
TE: Graham, Willson, Vannett
LT: Fant, Joeckel
LG: Odhiambo
OC: Britt, Hunt
RG: Aboushi, Glowinski
RT: Ifedi, Procic
2 QB
6 RB
5 WR
3 TE
9 OL
25 Total Offensive Players
9-- DL
6-- LB
10 DB
3-- ST (Ryan, Walsh, Ott)
25 Total Defensive Players
RDE: Bennett, Clark
3T: Rubin, McDonald, Jefferson
NT: Reed, Jones
LDE: Avril, Marsh
SLB: Morgan, Alexander
MLB: Wagner, Wilhoite
WLB: Wright, McDonald
RCB: Griffin, Thorpe, Desir
LCB: Sherman, Elliot
NCB: McDougald
FS: Thomas, Thompson
SS: Chancellor, Hill
PUP: Shead, McDowell
Practice Squad (just filling names, this is a viotile section with the Seahawks rotating players in and out as needed)
RB: Collins
WR: Grayson
WR: Moore
WR: Lawler
TE:
OL: Roos
OL: Myers
DL:
LB:
DB: Tyson
Overall, this would be a pretty great roster. We are light at WR but both Prosise and McKissic can take snaps there both having former WR experience. I chose to keep McKissic for that very reason as he's the closest thing on roster to Prosise, and that he has history of being a exceptional returner in college and in Pre-Season for ATL last year. Falcon fans were bummed when their team didn't keep McKissic on roster that I remember but he was a WR to RB conversion project that probably needed time to grow into his new position and develop his body.
I really like McKissic, probably one of the few on here that love his potential. With Prosise being an uncertainty to stay healthy, it's nice to have another player who can fill that role.
Carson over Collins was hard, but I chose the guy most similar to Lacy and Rawls. Physical backs that can churn through contact.
Oline and Dline is cut and dry.
The LB corps looks weird to me but those SAMbackers are more STers than defensive contributors considering a majority of D-snaps will be played in Nickel.
As for DBs, the hardest part was losing Lane, as he seems like the only experienced NCB option. However, Seahawks have grown these players in the past in Thurmond, Maxwell, Lane, and Shead.
And I feel McDougald as the talent thrive there as a player similar to Maxwell, and him being a very solid Safety being able to play both spots would allow the Defense play to matchups at slot. I.e. if Seahawks are facing a high flight burner, Thomas and McDougald swap. If a monster WR or TE is in slot, McDougald and Chancellor swap. It would create some much needed unpredictability against opposing defenses. Just a new wrinkle that could net positive results.
This will allow time for one of the other CBs to grow in that position and perhaps buy time until Shead comes back, who could provide depth inside at NCB as well.