Seahawks first unofficial depth chart: What to think

Seaside Joe 1252: A first look at Seattle's first first string

We got our first look at the Seahawks first unofficial depth chart on Monday night and the results couldn’t have been more predictable. This will not be the final depth chart and the reserve options should more or less fall into the roles we expect them to have.

There truly is not one surprise among the starters, even if I don’t expect these 1s to look exactly like those 1s in Week 1.

The biggest takeaway in general is that Justin Coleman could be fighting an uphill battle to make the final roster and might instead be asked to stay close by for a potential phone call, if not going onto the practice squad.

More: Tuesday training camp notes, Pete Carroll gives update on QB competition, injuries, standout players

QB - Geno Smith always expected to be the first QB1

For as long as I’ve said that I believe Drew Lock will become the starter, I’ve also said that Geno Smith would officially hold that role to begin the preseason. I saw someone ask this on Twitter and no, Jacob Eason is not going to be in the conversation to start.

RT - Jake Curhan is starter for now

I’ve expected Curhan to be the right tackle, at least to open the season, but the team did give Abe Lucas first team reps in Saturday’s mock game. Lucas can win the job with a strong preseason, similar to another third round pick back in 2012.

CB - Justin Coleman, Ugo Amadi down / John Reid up

The team listed Coby Bryant and Justin Coleman as “slash” for the third cornerback role (and not OR like Will Dissly and Noah Fant) and the numbers aren’t working in the veteran’s favor right now because Bryant and Tariq Woolen are practicing so well.

The team also listed John Reid ahead of Mike Jackson, who was with the 2s in the mock game, and also has Ugo Amadi on the third string. We know of four cornerbacks who appear guaranteed to make the roster and Reid might have the surprising inside track to the fifth.

WR - Concern about Dee Eskridge?

No. I only see his placement on the third string as a fair representation for the work being done in camp and so far Eskridge has missed everything that happens on the field. There is probably some realistic hope to have Eskridge ready to play in the second and third preseason game.

Stand out play by Cody Thompson and Dareke Young in the mock game didn’t budge them over Aaron Fuller, Freddie Swain, or Penny Hart on the depth chart. Swain is pulling double duty as the punt returner, which could make him a necessary keep because Eskridge is listed as his backup there.

Seahawks NEED to draft a WR next year

I’ve stated my case already for why I believe that receiver is the next highest-priority after QB and EDGE RUSHER. If the Seahawks could draft a quarterback and a really exciting receiver with two of their top four picks, I believe that would be Seattle’s ideal.

The team has DK Metcalf for the next four seasons. But how many more years can they expect Tyler Lockett to serve as a viable deep threat? Even Larry Fitzgerald had to completely change what kind of a receiver he was before when he reached his thirties with the Cardinals. Eskridge is an unknown. The team has no other receiver prospects to expect to become starters.

When Marquise Goodwin (who is far from guaranteed to make the roster), Fuller, Swain, and Hart are the the players you’ve listed behind Metcalf and Lockett, it’s time to draft a receiver. Early.

Marquise Blair’s final camp?

The team may have also made a point by having Josh Jones, Bubba Bolden, and Joey Blount listed with the 2s as safety, leaving Marquise Blair consider life on the bubble. It’s been kind of a long road with Blair, Amadi, L.J. Collier, and this could be one more step in Pete’s “re-think” of the roster Seattle built in the drafts prior to 2022.

Jones definitely sounds like a player about to make the roster and that means he could play a lot on Saturday against the Steelers. Knowing that Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs won’t play any preseason snaps, it gives ample opportunities to Jones, Bolden, Blount to make the team alongside Ryan Neal.

Nick Bellore is listed as a starter on offense and a second string linebacker on defense. Nick Bellore is the heroic player on the team that we never talk about.

Finally, Tariq Woolen might really be one Artie Burns away from starting at outside cornerback. If the only thing separating you from a ride on the Gravitron was the health of Artie Burns, your head would be hitting that ceiling in no time.

Bonus Story on Tuesday: 4 reasons Seahawks make a lot of sense for Roquan Smith trade