Seahawks Player Rankings: Nos. 51-60
Can this "Band of Brothers" help the Seahawks win another Super Bowl?
Why am I ranking all 91 players on the Seahawks? It’s not because I derive some sick pleasure out of assigning made-up values to every player on the team and acting as judge, jury, and contentecutioner. I do it for the same reason that some people like Avengers movies, reality TV all-star seasons, or the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.
It’s more fun when you already know who all the names and faces are ahead of time and then they come together and are under the same roof for the main event.
This exercise is less about the ranking than it is an introduction or reminder to the Seahawks who haven’t gotten as much coverage as Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Nigba.
Now we’ll have a little bit more interest for the 31 players I’ve already ranked…
Player Rankings, Part 1: Nos. 81-91
Player Rankings, Part 2: Nos. 71-80
Player Rankings, Part 3: Nos. 61-70
And then next 10 that I’m about to, because I don’t want the takeaway to be, “Damn it, that player is too low.”
I want it to be, “Damn it, I can’t wait for training camp so I can follow that player.”
And if that doesn’t work, you can turn on Band of Brothers and count how many actors you recognize instead.
60. DT Bubba Thomas
Of all the young defensive tackles who weren’t high draft picks and lack experience, Thomas is one of them. He’s also the one who I ranked the highest, above JR Singleton, Uso Seumalo, and Deven Eastern.
That order doesn’t mean much yet. In six weeks, we’ll have a much better idea which of them, if any, could make the final 53-man roster.
Thomas, who also goes by Wy’Kevious, has not been elevated above the practice squad yet. Undrafted out of South Alabama in 2025, Thomas is listed at 6’1, 301 lbs, which is maybe a few pounds less than what I expected of a “Bubba” (based on my analysis of remembering former NFL player and Police Academy star Bubba Smith).
He is perhaps best-suited to compete against Brandon Pili at nose tackle, although Pili is also not guaranteed a roster spot either.
Band of Brother archetype: Matthew Settle
Some recognize him, some don’t. But he’s working, so you have to respect it.
59. G Christian Haynes
Famous last words, perhaps, but this feels like my safest “low ranking” yet. Many fans are writing off Haynes already, expecting or even hoping that Haynes will be traded or released to make room for someone who hasn’t been labeled a bust.
Ironically, there would probably be more hope for Haynes if he had been a sixth round pick instead of a third.
People would rather think that a guard was valiantly sticking around than believe that he’s only on the team because he was a day two pick. Fans wanted Haynes to start as a rookie and be a savior for the position, but instead he has made zero career starts and only has 199 career snaps.
However, Haynes still has two years left on his rookie contract and was quite good in college. Maybe he’s gotten a lot better under the tutelage of offensive line coach John Benton and we just don’t know it yet because Seattle hasn’t felt enough pressure to make a change at right guard. Actually, the uncertainty of Anthony Bradford’s future could be the best reason to not give up on Haynes yet.
Band of Brother archetype: Donnie Wahlberg
Probably good, but maybe gets unfairly criticized for reasons beyond his control.
58. DB D’Anthony Bell
Bell got a highlight mention on Thursday when I wrote about Seattle’s win over the Saints and his blocked punt. After he was waived and had a cup of coffee with the Panthers last season, Bell is back with Seattle on a new contract, more than implying that Mike Macdonald and Jay Harbaugh were bummed when he left.
Almost 30, Bell’s ceiling as a safety is probably tapped. But he could be one of the Seahawks best special teamers.
Band of Brother archetype: Rick Gomez
If you don’t know him from this, you probably know him from something. Justified, Silo, or maybe Sin City. There are no small parts, there are only shorter highlight reels.
57. CB Nehemiah Pritchett
Pritchett’s 2025 season was probably a lot worse than anyone realizes. Although Pritchett made one of the best pass breakups by anybody in 2025, he somehow managed to allow three touchdowns despite only playing 91 snaps.
We have yet to see Pritchett prove worthy of an expanded role on defense, but he’s got a great opportunity to do that in camp with few players standing between the backup corners and a regular opportunity.
Band of Brother archetype: Jimmy Fallon
Hey look everybody…it’s Jimmy Fallon. (I could have also gone with David Schwimmer here.)
56. WR Emmanuel Henderson, Jr.
You won’t find many highlights of Henderson in college because he converted from running back to receiver and only had one real season in that role. He was drafted for special teams acumen, something Henderson proudly owns. Henderson is the Dareke Young replacement, and that’s not half-bad, but maybe there’s even more potential to tap as an offensive weapon.
Band of Brother archetype: Tom Hardy
He may be young, but perhaps it’s just the start of something great.
55. DT Brandon Pili
In a way, I think Brandon Pili’s name almost sounds like he’s a 10-year veteran who has been dependably stuffing the run since 2015. Maybe I’m conflating him with other nose tackles with a similar-sounding name. In reality, Pili has played just 251 snaps in three years (152 with Seattle in 2025) and he was part of the Seahawks final cuts—despite the nice preseason safety he had.
However, at 335 lbs, Pili is sort of one-of-a-kind on the roster. It’s not hard to see why he could make the 53-man roster out of camp this time. It really depends on how the rest of the already-mentioned defensive tackles do.
Band of Brother archetype: Michael Fassbender
Really I was just looking for somewhere to place Michael Fassbender. (I could have also gone with James McAvoy here.)
54. C Olu Oluwatimi
This is the final year of Oluwatimi’s rookie contract and Brady Henderson was floating his name as a trade candidate before the draft. It’s not like Henderson goes around floating bogus rumors every year. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever heard rumors from him, which tells me it was probably true. Maybe Seattle was seeing if a center they liked would fall to them in the draft and he didn’t, or maybe they didn’t get an enticing offer.
In any case, Oluwatimi is back and he’s competing for the backup center role. Unless Federico Maranges is better, or Mason Richman successfully transitions to the position, the odds are good for Oluwatimi. I’m just not sure how valuable that role is going to be—as long as Jalen Sundell is healthy, he seems to be locked in for the long-term.
Band of Brother archetype: Damien Lewis
Maybe he deserves to be #1, but worst case scenario he makes a great #2. Bonus points for Olu being former teammates with Damien Lewis.
53. OLB Jared Ivey
Of all the UDFAs and all the preseason standouts in 2025, Jared Ivey stood out as the best. Then Seattle held him on the protected 53-man roster all year despite not having much of a role for him. At least Connor O’Toole was a special teamer, but Ivey’s place on the roster was seemingly protected like a stock chip.
This camp will be a make or break opportunity for Ivey. If he’s not ready to play on defense on Sundays this year, the Seahawks will probably try to sneak him onto the practice squad and risk losing him. One year of protection is fine, but two without getting something from a pass rusher is probably too many.
Band of Brother archetype: Neal McDonough
Definitely one of my favorite actors among actors whose name I don’t instantly recognize. If someone said I could have Neal McDonough in my cast, I’d instantly sign him up. (I could have also gone with Ron Livingston here.)
52. LB Patrick O’Connell
O’Connell and Henderson were both players who I mentioned as sleepers who deserve more mention. However, I’m not sure how much more room he has to grow as a linebacker and I’d not only slot Tyrice Knight above him, but also Chris Paul.
So why is he ranked higher than Paul? Well, at least we do know that O’Connell is well-respected enough by Harbaugh to have a special teams role. O’Connell may not be a starting linebacker, but this will be his third year with Macdonald, so he has the experience and the knowledge, knowing what the coach is looking for at the position.
I wouldn’t say “high floor”, but more that you know what you’re getting with O’Connell and at worst that’s a player who Seattle wants to keep on the practice squad and have ready for Sundays.
Band of Brother archetype: Colin Hanks
You either love him or you just don’t think about him, he’s one of the bosses favorites. (Tom Hanks produced Band of Brothers.)
51. RB Emanuel Wilson
Had Jadarian Price been drafted 31st or higher, this might be Seattle’s Week 1 starting running back right here. Over the past two seasons in Green Bay, Wilson rushed for 998 yards, seven touchdowns, and 4.4 yards per carry. He’s not likely to be the starter, but does give the Seahawks a totally unique look compared to Price.
That’s probably what Schneider was going for, always believing Seattle would eventually get Price, so Wilson’s role is exactly what the Seahawks wanted when they signed him. His bigger competition might be George Holani and there’s a non-zero chance he doesn’t make the roster at all.
However, Schneider prides himself on running back scouting so Seattle likely feels they got two steals this offseason for the Price of one.
Band of Brother archetype: Simon Pegg
Maybe the guy you least expected to see here, but he could go on to have one of the best careers.
I’m all about learning about the back half of the roaster now rather than in October.
It makes the preseason games all the more enjoyable.
On you question in your post for players 61-70, you asked to name the next 5 players. I got close, 4 out of 5.