53-man roster prediction

[theENGLISHseahawk]

Thoughts?

LINK: http://seahawksdraftblog.com/53-man-ros ... 5th-august

The Seahawks have surely never had a roster like this before? Getting it down to 53 is going to be agony.

The hardest part seems to be weighing up necessary depth versus superior talent. There’s unlikely to be any Michael Bennett’s out there (cut by Seattle in 2009) but there will be a number of teams ready to pounce in waivers.

Can John Schneider pull off a few last minute trades as teams try to jump the line? We’ll see. Out of the players I cut in my own prediction, I struggled to identify many that have genuine trade appeal. The extended playing time for Brady Quinn against Green Bay was probably more of a showcase opportunity for the player rather than any attempt to drive his trade value (it’s non existent, even with teams like Buffalo suddenly needing a veteran quarterback).

 

[Cartire]

Sean McGrath is listed as part of the 53 and also a key cut.

 

[theENGLISHseahawk]

Sean McGrath is listed as part of the 53 and also a key cut.

Yep he sneaked in there but it's been edited.

 

[MontanaHawk05]

A lot of those cuts probably won't be available should Seattle need them again.

 

[Johnny]

His list looks just about like what everyone thinks this 53 man roster will look like,,, But, Clemons will start the year off on the PUP list and that will leave a spot open for a player for at least 4-5 games. Maybe a pass rusher from another team after the cuts? With Irvin out the first 4 games and Avril's foot we could use all the help we can get....

 

[HawkFan72]

I would be OK with those cuts. Always a few surprises though.

You know they will probably pick up a player or two from other teams as well (TE comes to mind) so I expect the final roster to change even further.

 

[TwilightError]

Farwell-Lotulelei could switch places?

 

[NorthwestSportsFan]

I like your roster a lot. I wouldn't complain at all if that's how it shakes out.

 

[theENGLISHseahawk]

Farwell-Lotulelei could switch places?

Possibly, but Farwell had a big day vs Denver and is a special teams demon. I like Loutelei but can't help but feel he's not quite as good as some people believe.

 

[BattleOfSeattle]

Great writeup.

On offense, the only thing that I'm unsure of is 6 WR's with 9 OL. I'm wondering if they attempt to put Harper on the practice squad and keep a tenth lineman, like Rishaw Johnson.

Defensively, the only potential cuts I see that differ from yours would be primarily due to cap savings. Perhaps DeShawn Shead over Maragos, and one of Morgan, Knox, or Lotulelei over Heath Farwell. Though I could just as easily see them keep Maragos and Farwell for their special teams play and experience.

Also, I think Korey Toomer (LB) will be placed on the Injured Reserve.

 

[QuahHawk]

I wouldn't be surprised if SF picks up Winston Guy when he gets cut.

 

[Jazzhawk]

Farwell-Lotulelei could switch places?

Possibly, but Farwell had a big day vs Denver and is a special teams demon. I like Loutelei but can't help but feel he's not quite as good as some people believe.

I think I'm actually with you on this one. Farwell reminds me of how Chris Gray and Craig Terrell kept earning positions on the team despite most here thinking they were getting cut.

 

[Hasselbeck]

Such a ridiculously deep roster.

 

[chris98251]

1.6 million is a lot for a guy just on special teams, meaning Farwell not that he's not good there. It's his 9 year vet minimum that makes him expensive.

I think they have to weigh ability to play every down if needed along with Special team contribution, which is why Bradford may get that nod.

Make some great arguements and yes the Roster is pretty close to the consensus of most, a few guys like Brooks and McDonald as well as Morgan and all are possible here or not guys depending on weighed needs and potential. Those spots will be the toughest to predict.

 

[kearly]

If they cut Farwell, it's only because of money. If they replace him, I hope it's not for Lotulelei, who's unpolished performances scream practice squad.

PUP is an option for Clemons, but I suspect Seattle won't use it unless they get bad medical news. Clemons tweeted that he should be available for week 3. It's not worth losing 3 weeks of Chris Clemons to hold a 53rd player 3 weeks longer.

I am genuinely curious to see if Bradford makes the final 53. He started out great vs. Oakland in 2012 and the Chargers this year, but he was a bit of a mixed bag the last two games. I hope they keep him, but Morgan and Smith are pretty good and have experience. It's crowded at LB.

 

[ivotuk]

Nice work Rob. I love Lotuleieis potential but he is too slow.

 

[kearly]

I think Mayowa has done enough. They need to stash him on the non-active portion of the roster. He has been a quality player at a position you don't usually expect quality production out of right away, period. If nothing else, he's active and defends the run surprisingly well. He has natural talent. Could grow into another Clemons if we are lucky, Seattle has to take that chance and even if he doesn't develop, he could be another Schofield pretty easily.

Rob, I liked that you kept Ware. I would too. I think they'll keep Coleman though, based on the language from the RB coach. I very much hope to be wrong.

I think they could go either way at WR, keeping 5 or 6. The only reason to keep 6 is as injury insurance, but we have so much quality depth at WR that I think we can weather a couple injuries even if we initially carry five (though that would mean making roster moves). If we keep 6, that means we'll have 7 when Harvin returns, which if everyone is healthy, means someone gets cut anyway. Harper has looked unremarkable in preseason, and maybe could be PS safe. Maybe. And if we lose Harper, I would not worry much over it.

IIRC, Seattle carried just 8 OL last year, though I think with the new additions they will have to carry 9 this time. Rishaw Johnson will probably land on the PS again, if he clears waivers.

My 53 man roster would be exactly the same except I'd swap WR Harper for DT Brooks. Very painful decision upcoming when Irvin comes back (I think that is when they ditch Farwell). And another painful decision when Harvin comes back (not sure who goes, yikes). Crazy as it sounds, I will actually feel relief when Seattle IRs it's first couple players this season.

I'm running through the scenarios in my head, and the chances that we won't release at least one very talented young player seems to be pretty close to zero. It's more a question of which talented young future stud we give up on first, second, third. Ouch, ouch, ouch.

Of all the potential cuts, cutting Brooks would sting the worst. He's the closest thing we have to Michael Bennett other than Michael Bennett, and Bennett is a FA after this season. Watching Brooks become a stud at the 3-tech elsewhere and then not having the money to retain Bennett could look really dumb in a year's time. I would keep Brooks over Mayowa, Ware, and Bradford if the choice were necessary.

One last thing, I think Blackmon has played himself into consideration for a corner spot. It would come at the expense of Winfield, Maxwell, or Lane, but I could live with that. Blackmon looks like our 4th best corner. Lane is a mediocre corner- he brings almost all his value on special teams. Maxwell is a little better as a corner but brings a little less on special teams. Winfield is probably just being protected by the team because of his age, but he didn't look great when he did play and the defense looks elite without him. Releasing him would save basically zero money though, surprisingly (only $500k non-guaranteed that is likely to be earned, and his replacement would cost about $500k). It seems Seattle did not even entertain the option of releasing Winfield when you look at the details of his contract.

 

[kearly]

I think Seattle gets a bit harsh on the LBs. They can afford to be thin at that position since Schofield and Irvin can play LB. Bradford can backup MLB, so can Wright. I think LB is the place where we see the team go thin, probably WR too. I think they use that extra space to carry 9 OL, 5 RB, and an extra DL. Our DL is ludicrously crowded with roster worthy players.

 

[ivotuk]

I'm sitting here, fat, dumb and happy after reading Robs roster and thinking how wonderful that would be until Kip comes along and throws in all these doubts. Now I'm worried about losing DT Brooks.

 

[drdiags]

If the Seahawks are going to ditch Farwell, they would do it before week 1's rosters are final. Otherwise his salary is guaranteed as a veteran. I don't think they cut him. Pete has said himself that ST is very important to him and he values his ST players as much as his starters. Farwell beat out the other ST LB (McCoy) last year and has been of high value since coming from the Vikings.

Good write-up English, along with thorough analysis of longer range hits and changes when Irvin and potentially Harvin come back. Injuries are going to continue to cause painful decisions down the road when the PS and 53-man rosters have to adjust.