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The Seattle Seahawks have released their first depth chart ahead of Thursday’s preseason opener against the Minnesota Vikings and though there are many caveats worth repeating, we have a glimpse into Pete Carroll’s vision for the 2023 roster.
We owe Bob Condotta a debt of gratitude for being the first person I saw to announce it on Twitter.
I’m posting a third Seaside Joe today because of the importance of this added information and I figured you would want to have it in your email immediately. Read today’s bonus training camp report and this morning’s 53-man roster if you’re interested in those things. Like content to be delivered to your inbox like this? Consider becoming a premium subscriber!
Notes before we get to Notes:
Pete Carroll may not want to give rookies too much “credit” this early in their careers, so keep that in mind before assessing how much this depth chart signals or doesn’t signal their current progress. I looked at 2022’s first depth chart and here’s some hindsight to consider:
Abe Lucas was second team right tackle behind Jake Curhan; the top cornerbacks are Artie Burns and Sidney Jones; Michael Jackson was “third team”.
Actually, last year’s first depth chart was fairly close to the team we know today with the exception of the cornerback position and right tackle, not including how injuries impacted the 2022 Seattle Seahawks. So what we see today may have some value…the question is: What did we see today? This depth chart has a few extra kicks in it that I am not sure I fully understand.
Notes for Offense:
Zach Charbonnet sits on a level below both DeeJay Dallas and seventh round pick Kenny McIntosh. This is certainly related to the number of practices that Charbonnet missed with a shoulder injury.
JAKE BOBO and MATT LANDERS are on the same page as Dee Eskridge and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. They have taken precedence on this list—only on this list, I am not gonna overrate the value here—over the likes of Dareke Young, Cade Johnson, and Cody Thompson. I wrote about Bobo last week and why he could have an advantage for this competition because of his reputation as an elite “practicer” and the effort he could give on special teams. His best comp on the team, Young, is dealing with a sports hernia.
Olu Oluwatimi is second team center.
My read on this is that Tyler Mabry is the first backup to Noah Fant than he is ahead of Colby Parkinson. Though if that is the case, then McIntosh would be more of a Dallas backup than “ahead of” Charbonnet, yet those don’t seem to be their roles actually. I don’t see McIntosh being in the mold of the Dallas role exactly. Let me know your read on these depth charts in the comments!
Notes for Defense:
Carroll has noted that fifth round rookie Mike Morris is so far only fit for a “run defense” role and here he is listed as the first name after Dre’Mont Jones. Which is a lot better than my worst fears.
BOYE MAFE!
Setting aside Jordyn Brooks as injured, it looks like the Seahawks so far like Jon Rhattigan, Ben Burr-Kirven, and CHRISTIAN YOUNG ahead of Vi Jones. Christian Young…YOU got an origin story.
I think no surprise that Mike Jackson is the name next to Riq Woolen, but Chris Steele and Arquon Bush getting a little attention at cornerback now. Coby Bryant and Joey Blount as the backup safeties, with sixth round pick Jerrick Reed II on the third team. We’ve been waiting for any insight on Reed and that’s the first clear indication of where he’s fitting in so far.
Dallas is the top returner thus far, with JSN looking to be next in line.
Seahawks Depth Chart: Released!
The only real surprise for me, that I actually think means something, is Mafe ahead of Taylor. Everything else on here is either expected or too far down the depth chart to really be meaningful at this point, but Mafe demanding more playing time over Taylor seems real, and that's cool.
Also, it's nice to see Bellore with the first team offense where he belongs.
SSJ touched on the move in previous articles, but it is looking close to official now the DB room is so quick and good, that Coby Bryant's move to safety is possibly permanent. He has the CB coverage skills and game awareness, just maybe not as much lateral quickness as the other DBs. With Jamal still out, he solidifies the position, and he's probably better than Jerrick Reed II in everything except physicality.
OR, he is being listed as a S because he is good enough to be on the 53, and other guys who are good enough are CBs only. Either way, Reed's road looks harder now that Coby is listed there on semi-official paper.