Missed FB. Kenny Mac could make it through waivers but is he good enough on STs? I think they need 4 RBs but with at least 1 FB that means you can’t keep extra Receivers. And the extra “lost” player with clip board bonding third QB. Positional cuts going to bigger than usual.
I think there tends to be significant overreactions to player movement in OTAs. Macdonald has been on record several times that this time of year is primarily about 2 things, installing the playbook & getting guys on film. Seeing Haynes at center is more about getting it on film so they can evaluate it later in case of injuries. Do guys have a backup skill in case of emergency?
In terms of position battles that no one talking about, I think backup QB is out there. I don’t see Seattle carrying 3 QBs on game day just so they might run a set of plays for Milroe, but if Milroe can beat out Locke, I think the Hawks would be ok with that & then a set of plays could fit in a weekly game plan.
True that. I am seeing us watching how Sam does/how the guys take to him, etc. before they consolidate. Milroe could be considered a backup running back and Bobo the same at TE before they need to whittle down to 2 QBs. Don't the new rules allow an emergency QB as a 54th player? I'm thinking I read they can't be in the stadium on Game Day. If so, it might be Drew staying home. Or maybe I'm 'having a moment'... (hard day cleaning up a big old dead tree out back. It just refused to fall).
Yes, the rules allow for an Emergency QB, but he can only play if the other two are injured or disqualified. It would be the 49th player on gameday though, since the gameday roster is only 48 players.
I think that Kubiak/Mike want Haynes and Sundell to win the C position or RG one. Zabel and Sundell played alongside each other in a similar zone scheme in NDSU and there could be carry over chemistry in really giving that a chance to take even if Sundell has an off day here and there relative to Olu. I also heard Mike Morris say that Sundell was kicking ass in the offseason weight room. For Morris, a DT, to say that means something. Hopefully additional strength and scheme comfortability wins out and Kubiak gives up short term predictability of Olu for the potentiality of a Sundell/Zabel LG and C combo
As for keeping either a 6 or 7th receiver, having to carry a QB3 coupled with a possible CB depth issue all but means that 7th receiver possibility is out of the question.
A QB running for his life on every play will ease things for anyone at the CB position. Most of our new guys now know the ferocity of NFL level play. Speed and strength must be the most astonishing rookies experience. We can expect the first game against the 49ers will have them focused heavily on driving this home to Zabel. Concern, yes. Worry? No.
WOW, Y’all are schooling me! I had a question, but it would be more like ‘ what time is recess’ than such weighty fare as I’m seeing here. Thanks for sharing, you’re making me more excited for the season.
I do have one hang up though, help me out here. It seems like all the big name pundits have the hawks at 7 or 8 wins and Darnold riding the pine for the last half of the season. Seems most of our local experts see this team surprising everyone and moving into the postseason with 11 or better wins under their belts. Are we all just homers or are the know-it-alls just dazzled with Aron Rodgers (gag me with a backhoe!) and anybody but the hawks in the NFC West?
The national "8-win" crew is not looking in-depth at SE Alaska. They think our team does what other teams do when they get a shiny new athletic QB, we start him too early and he struggles. They also have a "change=bad" view without considering the possibility of addition by substracting Grubb and staff with the NFL experienced KK and staff... but that is NOT what JS does and not what this organization does with QBs. They expect us to be like other impatient teams, then criticize JS when he isn't like that. They then predict us to be like everyone else again, rinse repeat. It's lazy reporting and quick turnaround stories to get that precious content onto their sites as quickly as possible covering as many teams as possible. They just don't/ can't be as good as SSJ because they aren't spending the time and effort to do so.
Vegas has even lost on Seahawks win totals, by a lot, the past 5yrs. I forget whoch commenter has been pointing that out recently, but it's true and significant. Same reasons. Our organization is undervalued as a whole and our players are often minimized or disregarded because? Small(er) market? Too far away to go or care? Regardless, that's why we're all here on SSJ. He does it right.
Lock looks solid. If he gets his chance, watch out. He won't get another. I believe Baker Mayfield will be the example set for many other young "has-beens". Everybody will be on board with Millroe coming on in the next year or two. If they get their ego's right, 2 active QB teams may be the future. How many games have we watched, knowing your QB was going to have a bad day on that particular Sunday? Not everybody can step up like Joe Montana after back surgery.
My take is that the defense will be really good and that the schedule is favorable. Plus, the offensive coaching staff is an upgrade. So I look for 10-12 wins.
I glommed onto Ty Okada for some reason early in his career, and lately I read that he was almost the star of the defense during OTA's. He got the most interceptions and was playing very well. He's got his work cut out for him even making the team, but my guess is he will make some team this year. I wish him well.
It’s interesting. I wonder if Spoon will be in the slot due to his tackling ability and versatility. One concern I have is reminds me a lot of Shaquill Griffin. 1 pick in 2 season. I’d like a corner with more picks. He is very disruptive though.
They just do t seem that enamored with Oluwatimi so Haynes may well be possible.
If Horton is ready and looks good in camp I expect he will get more playing time as the season goes on. Bobo may well be a 3 he bocks well and hangs on to the ball.
Rb is another interesting one. Walker is a better athlete but Charbonnet is more of the one 1cut and go types that seem to do well on the wide zone.
I think Fant is gone. He has not shown enough for his cost.
K9 spent his time beating open holes to attack through, thus far. Dunno, but it seems you'd get hurt a lot more doing that than working with an effective o-line. People bitched about him breaking away from the play's design too often last year. All I saw was a guy trying to make something from nothing. Even showed us a somersault move. I will have faith in the younger Kenny who got a lot of Wow's/Whoa's from JS during his college days. I wonder if he followed a fullback back then...?
Bobo strikes me as a guy who can finally get to show us his Kittle side. He's always looked to me more like a TE than WR, but then he hasn't got much attention.Watch out if he has bulked up. He's held a love for the blocking side, to boot. He and Ouzts could have a field day. Both are going to be electrifying Fan Favorites, which will please Ms. Allen. Glad to see SSJ place him with the "starters". I count him as a solid Hawk in the locker room. It'll be Big Fun to watch him shine under Kubiak.
Yeah, I think Bobo is a lock. Too much value as a blocker, a receiver, ST’s ace, and can masquerade as a TE if needed. And excellent locker room guy. Are we really cutting those guys? I think he and White are the last two WR’s of the 6 they keep.
It’s wide open, brotha! So says KK. I see the Haynes play at center and Sundell at guard as the Seahawks looking to put the 5 best linemen out there week one and finding a position for them that allows them to get the top 5 out there. If Haynes is better than Sundell or Olu, he moves to center. If Olu and Sundell are the best 4th and 5th linemen, Sundell moves to guard. If Bradford wins at RG, I don’t think they like the idea of keeping Haynes on the active roster if he can’t be a backup option at both guard and center.
I also think Cabledue has to be considered with his athletic score through the roof. Maybe he’s not ready week one, but I wouldn’t count him out at RG by mid season if no one else shines.
I think Fant needs to shine very brightly, or Arroyo needs to look like he can’t be TE1 as of yet for Fant to make the roster. I just think they are playing it safe in case Arroyo is not what they think he is. I can see them having 2 TEs on the roster with Ouzts and Bobo as TE3. Ouzts would be primary FB and backup TE. Bobo would be primary WR4 and back up TE3 receiving TE. I think they keep 6 WRs, 4 RBs, 3 QBs, 2 TEs, 9 OLs, and 1 FB. (25)
I am not ready to tell you the identity of the players chosen just yet. I’m still working on the defense.
If Fant is out, Brady Russell is in. With the importance of FB in Kubiak's scheme, they might keep 2 FB, anyway. Brady Russell would backup TE and FB. As much as I like Bobo as a blocker, he's not got enough sand in his pants to play much FB. Historically, the 4th RB doesn't get enough snaps to justify being on the team, and when Seattle carries a FB, they usually have 3 RB (I checked this using AI). I think 1 of Damien Martinez or Kenny McIntosh can make it through to the PS, given the depth that there was in the draft at RB. I think McIntosh is safer to go to PS. I'm less confident in Tory Horton and Ricky White III. If anybody wanted Cody White, he'd have been taken already.
My reason for keeping Kenny McIntosh on the 53 was because I felt he wouldn’t make it to the practice squad. Brady is someone you want on the roster, not only could he back up Ouzts at FB but he can be TE 3 if they trade Fant. Then you have his value on special teams to boot. I didn’t mean to suggest Bobo at FB, only as a WR who may take snaps lined up as a TE3 on some occasions. The reason I feel this way is because I was watching film of the OTA practices and I saw number 19 (Bobo) doing position drills with a group of numbers — 18, 87, 88, 89. The tight ends. Now it may have only been a trial that never happens. But maybe KK is taking MM’s positional flexibility to the offense. Bobo is certainly a willing and eager player to get dirty and mix it up. I’d love to see more Bobo and more big time plays by Bobo. I believe “big time” could be Bobo lining up at TE and walling off a LB for K9 to break free on an explosive run play.
High marks on this one, Danno (as usual). Agree big time on Bobo at TE. Hadn't thot much about Cabletow other than I liked this year's Rookie selections. Did I read that Zabel and Sundell were teammates? Seems to me that our O-Line are working at becoming dance partners, as last year we saw feet getting tangled when pulling or setting. Can't discount what happens having 350+ lbs stomping on your foot will do, injury-wise. Being former teammates wouldn't be much of an edge, but still an edge finding rhythm in complex coordinating between guards and centers. No doubt a Big Plus when everybody is a stranger in the locker room. Also a good time to call in unpaid beer markers, real or imaginary. Pay up, Rook.
Greg Bell, who saw every one of the public OTAs and minicamp was just interviewed by Dan Viens. He predicts Sundell will win the starting job at center. Says Haynes is more likely than Bradford to win at RG. I think Bradford would likely be traded if he doesn’t win the job. He’s not a candidate to back up at center or tackle. No position flexibility, and I think the Seahawks are going to want their backups to be able to have several positions they can play. Yes ND State for both Zabel and Sundell. Both nimble and athletic, as are Cross and Lucas. Haynes is more athletic for “dancing purposes” as you point out, but Cabledue is an ultra athletic dance partner.
It seems playing with Zabel for 4 years at NDS is a contributing factoring for Sundell being the surprise starter this year. Continuity on the o-line is very important they say.
I also read that Sundell work really hard this offseason to add strength. He already had very high athleticism for a wide zone system, what he needed was strength to stand up in pass blocking. May the best man win. We need to have the best people out there and then work with the to function as a team and give us a very effective O-line. Go Hawks!
All the shuffling along the oline makes me pause...are we just trying to get the best five? Are we assessing positional flexibility? Are we preparing to keep 9 (usually we keep 10) and open up a roster spot for a third QB and a FB? I'm not sure we're done adding there.
WR...not sure Bobo is a Shoe-in. I love the guy, but he's not a huge threat as a receiver. Cody White had a great game when DK was down. Ricky White III looks good but might be able to get by to practice squad. Sims has a role if no one else can p/k return as well as him - even if he's a unitasker. If I were picking 6 wr to keep I'm keeping JSN, Kupp, Horton, MVS, C White and R White III.
It may be an unpopular opinion, but I think Jobe is actually better than Woolen currently. Jobe improved as the season went on whereas Woolen went up and down. I could see Witherspoon and Jobe outside and Emmanwori as big nickel/hybrid linebacker (although I'm still not completely sold on Emmanwori). Unless Woolen makes strides in his play style I could see him sitting - he's a liability sometimes when he's slow to recognize or isn't in a position to see the play at all.
I could see keeping 3 rb and those three should be Walker, Charbs, and Martinez. I was suggesting in an old thread before the draft that we draft Martinez I think in the fourth round, maybe third round even. I think we're gonna like him a lot because of his contact balance and burst which is a little reminiscent of Beast Mode but a little different.
Can't wait to see SSJ community take on the roster as it shapes up. Thanks for the article Kenneth!
Bobo is potentially the best blocking WR, he's great on ST, a reliable target, and everyone loves him. Picking Cody White over Bobo doesn't seem to me like something that Kubiak and Harbaugh would do.
Hypothetical...Kupp and JSN run into each other and both go down for 4 weeks. Who do you want running routes now? I agree Bobo is a good football player, and he does a lot of things right. But he does not provide a viable weapon as a WR imo. I've seen the idea of using him as a smaller TE which might work but I'm not sure he's big enough (even if he's added bulk). It won't surprise me if Bobo is on the squad and I hope he is, but I just get the feeling he's gonna be axed in favor of someone with a higher ceiling we can hopefully develop.
I can see keeping those 6 WRs... RWIII would get the ST snaps Bobo leaves behind, and he adds explosiveness to those snaps that Bobo doesn't, AND maybe he returns kicks. He has that versatility with explosiveness that Bobo just doesn't quite have. It's fun to speculate, but it'll be even more fun to watch unfold!
I keep thinking that Noah Fant will be traded. Unless he's somehow become a better blocker, he adds predictability to the offensive package while not being offensively better than Barner (my opinion), who is also more of a red zone threat with his height. But: is the TE room solid enough without him? Does Kubiak have plans for him that I know nothing about?
This is the subject I've been obsessing on since we picked up 9 offensive players in the draft plus some promising UDFAs. The numbers are necessarily going to get tight.
We tended to keep 4 tight ends under Pete, but some seasons rostered only 3. Even under Grubb who under-ultilized the position (and several other ones) we kept 4, with Noah Fant, Pharaoh Brown, Brady Russell, and AJ Barner. But Kubiak tends to be at the top of the league at 2 TE sets as an OC, so we surely willl not go skinny there. And we spent some draft capital on Elijah Arroyo. He and Barner are making the 53 barring a fluke preseason injury.
We drafted a FB and he's basically a lock. Brady Russell is in the mix, but I don't see him unseating the mustached blocking ace we just drafted so his only hope to make the 53 is at TE or special teams. (in my opinion)
We are keeping 3 QBs for 2025. Drew Lock is the only possible cut, and that doesn't seem realistic.
We aren't trading K9. He and Charbs are locks.
We aren't likely to ride with fewer than 6 WR. Kupp, Scantling, JSN, and Tory Horton are making the team. Those 4 guys are locks. You don't draft Ricky White in the 3rd unless you think he's contributing at least on special teams. I forget how many punts he blocked last year at Fresno State, but he was a standout. Bobo led the team in ST snaps at 313, or I wouldn't think he's safe. Young was 2nd, with 230. We brought in Simms from the Ravens for ST play, but like White, he still counts as a WR as far as the roster spot he will take up.
3 QBs. 4 RBs. 4 TEs. 6 WRs. That's 17. 7 O linemen is already 24. And outside of those trench guys, every single player on the side of the ball I haven't named would be gone (plus at least one WR I did name). And this all all assuming we don't pick up a single free agent.
I realize we're in June and it's only training camp. But that doesn't change the fact that there are a lot of players who have either shown promise or that we've invested in who will not make this team. And I've only started on defense, but that gets even more confusing. By my math there are about 10 more guys than our allotted 53 players -who I would normally feel sure will make the 53 -and not be too risky to put on the practice squad.
3 QB, 3 RB, 1 FB, 3 TE, 6 WR, 10 OL = 26, which leaves 24 on defense and 3 specialists. Horton could be preserved with a cheeky PUP if WR room gets tight. We should probably account for 2 PUP at season start.
Excellent comment. To echo Dale and Chris... good! That's what happened during our SB runs and where we need to get back to. Here's to hoping every one of our cuts goes on to play for another team! I am excited to see how it shakes out and am looking forward to the future anxiety of wondering whether we kept the right guys because everyone else gets scooped up.
There is a chance that we might see RWIII actually return kicks and Sims get cut. We can carry 1 fewer WR that way, and he plays both ways on ST. If Cody White keeps balling out, somebody's gonna have to go or sign to PS. Idk if any of those 3 will pass waivers this year. I know Cody has been on PS for a couple years, now; but if he puts good work on preseason tape on top of the camp reports and the play he showed when getting on the field late in the season 2yrs ago, he may get more interest from other teams this time around. Of course, it doesn't have to be a WR who gets bumped, and if the game tape was that impressive, why did he not get plucked last year? Just a thought.
Exactly. We need to embrace the fact that as our roster improves, other teams will want our castoffs, and some of them will do well. Feels off, but it’s a good thing.
"It leaves the door open for Zabel to still be moved to center at some point in the future and that wouldn’t be the best thing for his value." If'n Our New Zabel turns out to be a Superb center, then we well might be extremely happy with this. It is said that centers need to be extremely intelligent to quickly look over the defense and call the protections.
Jalen Milroe Did win the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman.
Sims has had good press, but I doubt he has more special teams value than White III. I was glad to see RB3 instead of RB4. Historically, when the Seahawks carry a fullback, the typically carry only 3 RB. They are more likely to carry an extra FB when the FBs are new than they are to carry 4 RB. 7 WR could happen if Sims looks like the man on returns, but I hope that they learn from the Dee Williams debacle and make sure that the returner has multifaceted value. I'm hopeful that we keep both drafted WR.
Missed FB. Kenny Mac could make it through waivers but is he good enough on STs? I think they need 4 RBs but with at least 1 FB that means you can’t keep extra Receivers. And the extra “lost” player with clip board bonding third QB. Positional cuts going to bigger than usual.
I think there tends to be significant overreactions to player movement in OTAs. Macdonald has been on record several times that this time of year is primarily about 2 things, installing the playbook & getting guys on film. Seeing Haynes at center is more about getting it on film so they can evaluate it later in case of injuries. Do guys have a backup skill in case of emergency?
In terms of position battles that no one talking about, I think backup QB is out there. I don’t see Seattle carrying 3 QBs on game day just so they might run a set of plays for Milroe, but if Milroe can beat out Locke, I think the Hawks would be ok with that & then a set of plays could fit in a weekly game plan.
True that. I am seeing us watching how Sam does/how the guys take to him, etc. before they consolidate. Milroe could be considered a backup running back and Bobo the same at TE before they need to whittle down to 2 QBs. Don't the new rules allow an emergency QB as a 54th player? I'm thinking I read they can't be in the stadium on Game Day. If so, it might be Drew staying home. Or maybe I'm 'having a moment'... (hard day cleaning up a big old dead tree out back. It just refused to fall).
Yes, the rules allow for an Emergency QB, but he can only play if the other two are injured or disqualified. It would be the 49th player on gameday though, since the gameday roster is only 48 players.
Great Article Ken!
I think that Kubiak/Mike want Haynes and Sundell to win the C position or RG one. Zabel and Sundell played alongside each other in a similar zone scheme in NDSU and there could be carry over chemistry in really giving that a chance to take even if Sundell has an off day here and there relative to Olu. I also heard Mike Morris say that Sundell was kicking ass in the offseason weight room. For Morris, a DT, to say that means something. Hopefully additional strength and scheme comfortability wins out and Kubiak gives up short term predictability of Olu for the potentiality of a Sundell/Zabel LG and C combo
As for keeping either a 6 or 7th receiver, having to carry a QB3 coupled with a possible CB depth issue all but means that 7th receiver possibility is out of the question.
A QB running for his life on every play will ease things for anyone at the CB position. Most of our new guys now know the ferocity of NFL level play. Speed and strength must be the most astonishing rookies experience. We can expect the first game against the 49ers will have them focused heavily on driving this home to Zabel. Concern, yes. Worry? No.
I love that the 3rd option at CB is our biggest concern on defence. That’s awesome. Roster must be pretty good.
WOW, Y’all are schooling me! I had a question, but it would be more like ‘ what time is recess’ than such weighty fare as I’m seeing here. Thanks for sharing, you’re making me more excited for the season.
I do have one hang up though, help me out here. It seems like all the big name pundits have the hawks at 7 or 8 wins and Darnold riding the pine for the last half of the season. Seems most of our local experts see this team surprising everyone and moving into the postseason with 11 or better wins under their belts. Are we all just homers or are the know-it-alls just dazzled with Aron Rodgers (gag me with a backhoe!) and anybody but the hawks in the NFC West?
The national "8-win" crew is not looking in-depth at SE Alaska. They think our team does what other teams do when they get a shiny new athletic QB, we start him too early and he struggles. They also have a "change=bad" view without considering the possibility of addition by substracting Grubb and staff with the NFL experienced KK and staff... but that is NOT what JS does and not what this organization does with QBs. They expect us to be like other impatient teams, then criticize JS when he isn't like that. They then predict us to be like everyone else again, rinse repeat. It's lazy reporting and quick turnaround stories to get that precious content onto their sites as quickly as possible covering as many teams as possible. They just don't/ can't be as good as SSJ because they aren't spending the time and effort to do so.
Vegas has even lost on Seahawks win totals, by a lot, the past 5yrs. I forget whoch commenter has been pointing that out recently, but it's true and significant. Same reasons. Our organization is undervalued as a whole and our players are often minimized or disregarded because? Small(er) market? Too far away to go or care? Regardless, that's why we're all here on SSJ. He does it right.
I think our HC is my biggest reason for optimism. No way we’re worse than last year IMHO unless Darnold is a disaster.
Lock looks solid. If he gets his chance, watch out. He won't get another. I believe Baker Mayfield will be the example set for many other young "has-beens". Everybody will be on board with Millroe coming on in the next year or two. If they get their ego's right, 2 active QB teams may be the future. How many games have we watched, knowing your QB was going to have a bad day on that particular Sunday? Not everybody can step up like Joe Montana after back surgery.
My take is that the defense will be really good and that the schedule is favorable. Plus, the offensive coaching staff is an upgrade. So I look for 10-12 wins.
I glommed onto Ty Okada for some reason early in his career, and lately I read that he was almost the star of the defense during OTA's. He got the most interceptions and was playing very well. He's got his work cut out for him even making the team, but my guess is he will make some team this year. I wish him well.
It’s interesting. I wonder if Spoon will be in the slot due to his tackling ability and versatility. One concern I have is reminds me a lot of Shaquill Griffin. 1 pick in 2 season. I’d like a corner with more picks. He is very disruptive though.
They just do t seem that enamored with Oluwatimi so Haynes may well be possible.
If Horton is ready and looks good in camp I expect he will get more playing time as the season goes on. Bobo may well be a 3 he bocks well and hangs on to the ball.
Rb is another interesting one. Walker is a better athlete but Charbonnet is more of the one 1cut and go types that seem to do well on the wide zone.
I think Fant is gone. He has not shown enough for his cost.
K9 spent his time beating open holes to attack through, thus far. Dunno, but it seems you'd get hurt a lot more doing that than working with an effective o-line. People bitched about him breaking away from the play's design too often last year. All I saw was a guy trying to make something from nothing. Even showed us a somersault move. I will have faith in the younger Kenny who got a lot of Wow's/Whoa's from JS during his college days. I wonder if he followed a fullback back then...?
Bobo strikes me as a guy who can finally get to show us his Kittle side. He's always looked to me more like a TE than WR, but then he hasn't got much attention.Watch out if he has bulked up. He's held a love for the blocking side, to boot. He and Ouzts could have a field day. Both are going to be electrifying Fan Favorites, which will please Ms. Allen. Glad to see SSJ place him with the "starters". I count him as a solid Hawk in the locker room. It'll be Big Fun to watch him shine under Kubiak.
Yeah, I think Bobo is a lock. Too much value as a blocker, a receiver, ST’s ace, and can masquerade as a TE if needed. And excellent locker room guy. Are we really cutting those guys? I think he and White are the last two WR’s of the 6 they keep.
It’s wide open, brotha! So says KK. I see the Haynes play at center and Sundell at guard as the Seahawks looking to put the 5 best linemen out there week one and finding a position for them that allows them to get the top 5 out there. If Haynes is better than Sundell or Olu, he moves to center. If Olu and Sundell are the best 4th and 5th linemen, Sundell moves to guard. If Bradford wins at RG, I don’t think they like the idea of keeping Haynes on the active roster if he can’t be a backup option at both guard and center.
I also think Cabledue has to be considered with his athletic score through the roof. Maybe he’s not ready week one, but I wouldn’t count him out at RG by mid season if no one else shines.
I think Fant needs to shine very brightly, or Arroyo needs to look like he can’t be TE1 as of yet for Fant to make the roster. I just think they are playing it safe in case Arroyo is not what they think he is. I can see them having 2 TEs on the roster with Ouzts and Bobo as TE3. Ouzts would be primary FB and backup TE. Bobo would be primary WR4 and back up TE3 receiving TE. I think they keep 6 WRs, 4 RBs, 3 QBs, 2 TEs, 9 OLs, and 1 FB. (25)
I am not ready to tell you the identity of the players chosen just yet. I’m still working on the defense.
If Fant is out, Brady Russell is in. With the importance of FB in Kubiak's scheme, they might keep 2 FB, anyway. Brady Russell would backup TE and FB. As much as I like Bobo as a blocker, he's not got enough sand in his pants to play much FB. Historically, the 4th RB doesn't get enough snaps to justify being on the team, and when Seattle carries a FB, they usually have 3 RB (I checked this using AI). I think 1 of Damien Martinez or Kenny McIntosh can make it through to the PS, given the depth that there was in the draft at RB. I think McIntosh is safer to go to PS. I'm less confident in Tory Horton and Ricky White III. If anybody wanted Cody White, he'd have been taken already.
My reason for keeping Kenny McIntosh on the 53 was because I felt he wouldn’t make it to the practice squad. Brady is someone you want on the roster, not only could he back up Ouzts at FB but he can be TE 3 if they trade Fant. Then you have his value on special teams to boot. I didn’t mean to suggest Bobo at FB, only as a WR who may take snaps lined up as a TE3 on some occasions. The reason I feel this way is because I was watching film of the OTA practices and I saw number 19 (Bobo) doing position drills with a group of numbers — 18, 87, 88, 89. The tight ends. Now it may have only been a trial that never happens. But maybe KK is taking MM’s positional flexibility to the offense. Bobo is certainly a willing and eager player to get dirty and mix it up. I’d love to see more Bobo and more big time plays by Bobo. I believe “big time” could be Bobo lining up at TE and walling off a LB for K9 to break free on an explosive run play.
Agree on Cabledue. When pads come on we’ll see.
High marks on this one, Danno (as usual). Agree big time on Bobo at TE. Hadn't thot much about Cabletow other than I liked this year's Rookie selections. Did I read that Zabel and Sundell were teammates? Seems to me that our O-Line are working at becoming dance partners, as last year we saw feet getting tangled when pulling or setting. Can't discount what happens having 350+ lbs stomping on your foot will do, injury-wise. Being former teammates wouldn't be much of an edge, but still an edge finding rhythm in complex coordinating between guards and centers. No doubt a Big Plus when everybody is a stranger in the locker room. Also a good time to call in unpaid beer markers, real or imaginary. Pay up, Rook.
Greg Bell, who saw every one of the public OTAs and minicamp was just interviewed by Dan Viens. He predicts Sundell will win the starting job at center. Says Haynes is more likely than Bradford to win at RG. I think Bradford would likely be traded if he doesn’t win the job. He’s not a candidate to back up at center or tackle. No position flexibility, and I think the Seahawks are going to want their backups to be able to have several positions they can play. Yes ND State for both Zabel and Sundell. Both nimble and athletic, as are Cross and Lucas. Haynes is more athletic for “dancing purposes” as you point out, but Cabledue is an ultra athletic dance partner.
It seems playing with Zabel for 4 years at NDS is a contributing factoring for Sundell being the surprise starter this year. Continuity on the o-line is very important they say.
I also read that Sundell work really hard this offseason to add strength. He already had very high athleticism for a wide zone system, what he needed was strength to stand up in pass blocking. May the best man win. We need to have the best people out there and then work with the to function as a team and give us a very effective O-line. Go Hawks!
All the shuffling along the oline makes me pause...are we just trying to get the best five? Are we assessing positional flexibility? Are we preparing to keep 9 (usually we keep 10) and open up a roster spot for a third QB and a FB? I'm not sure we're done adding there.
WR...not sure Bobo is a Shoe-in. I love the guy, but he's not a huge threat as a receiver. Cody White had a great game when DK was down. Ricky White III looks good but might be able to get by to practice squad. Sims has a role if no one else can p/k return as well as him - even if he's a unitasker. If I were picking 6 wr to keep I'm keeping JSN, Kupp, Horton, MVS, C White and R White III.
It may be an unpopular opinion, but I think Jobe is actually better than Woolen currently. Jobe improved as the season went on whereas Woolen went up and down. I could see Witherspoon and Jobe outside and Emmanwori as big nickel/hybrid linebacker (although I'm still not completely sold on Emmanwori). Unless Woolen makes strides in his play style I could see him sitting - he's a liability sometimes when he's slow to recognize or isn't in a position to see the play at all.
I could see keeping 3 rb and those three should be Walker, Charbs, and Martinez. I was suggesting in an old thread before the draft that we draft Martinez I think in the fourth round, maybe third round even. I think we're gonna like him a lot because of his contact balance and burst which is a little reminiscent of Beast Mode but a little different.
Can't wait to see SSJ community take on the roster as it shapes up. Thanks for the article Kenneth!
Bobo is potentially the best blocking WR, he's great on ST, a reliable target, and everyone loves him. Picking Cody White over Bobo doesn't seem to me like something that Kubiak and Harbaugh would do.
Hypothetical...Kupp and JSN run into each other and both go down for 4 weeks. Who do you want running routes now? I agree Bobo is a good football player, and he does a lot of things right. But he does not provide a viable weapon as a WR imo. I've seen the idea of using him as a smaller TE which might work but I'm not sure he's big enough (even if he's added bulk). It won't surprise me if Bobo is on the squad and I hope he is, but I just get the feeling he's gonna be axed in favor of someone with a higher ceiling we can hopefully develop.
I can see keeping those 6 WRs... RWIII would get the ST snaps Bobo leaves behind, and he adds explosiveness to those snaps that Bobo doesn't, AND maybe he returns kicks. He has that versatility with explosiveness that Bobo just doesn't quite have. It's fun to speculate, but it'll be even more fun to watch unfold!
I keep thinking that Noah Fant will be traded. Unless he's somehow become a better blocker, he adds predictability to the offensive package while not being offensively better than Barner (my opinion), who is also more of a red zone threat with his height. But: is the TE room solid enough without him? Does Kubiak have plans for him that I know nothing about?
I can’t see moving on from Fant unless Arroyo has a great camp. There simply aren’t enough proven receivers.
Perhaps a trade before the deadline, if the rest of the room
looks up to the job.
This is the subject I've been obsessing on since we picked up 9 offensive players in the draft plus some promising UDFAs. The numbers are necessarily going to get tight.
We tended to keep 4 tight ends under Pete, but some seasons rostered only 3. Even under Grubb who under-ultilized the position (and several other ones) we kept 4, with Noah Fant, Pharaoh Brown, Brady Russell, and AJ Barner. But Kubiak tends to be at the top of the league at 2 TE sets as an OC, so we surely willl not go skinny there. And we spent some draft capital on Elijah Arroyo. He and Barner are making the 53 barring a fluke preseason injury.
We drafted a FB and he's basically a lock. Brady Russell is in the mix, but I don't see him unseating the mustached blocking ace we just drafted so his only hope to make the 53 is at TE or special teams. (in my opinion)
We are keeping 3 QBs for 2025. Drew Lock is the only possible cut, and that doesn't seem realistic.
We aren't trading K9. He and Charbs are locks.
We aren't likely to ride with fewer than 6 WR. Kupp, Scantling, JSN, and Tory Horton are making the team. Those 4 guys are locks. You don't draft Ricky White in the 3rd unless you think he's contributing at least on special teams. I forget how many punts he blocked last year at Fresno State, but he was a standout. Bobo led the team in ST snaps at 313, or I wouldn't think he's safe. Young was 2nd, with 230. We brought in Simms from the Ravens for ST play, but like White, he still counts as a WR as far as the roster spot he will take up.
3 QBs. 4 RBs. 4 TEs. 6 WRs. That's 17. 7 O linemen is already 24. And outside of those trench guys, every single player on the side of the ball I haven't named would be gone (plus at least one WR I did name). And this all all assuming we don't pick up a single free agent.
I realize we're in June and it's only training camp. But that doesn't change the fact that there are a lot of players who have either shown promise or that we've invested in who will not make this team. And I've only started on defense, but that gets even more confusing. By my math there are about 10 more guys than our allotted 53 players -who I would normally feel sure will make the 53 -and not be too risky to put on the practice squad.
My bets on position counts on offense:
3 QB, 3 RB, 1 FB, 3 TE, 6 WR, 10 OL = 26, which leaves 24 on defense and 3 specialists. Horton could be preserved with a cheeky PUP if WR room gets tight. We should probably account for 2 PUP at season start.
That's my count for offense as well, with 5 IDL, 5 OLB, 4 ILB, 6 CB, 4 S = 24 on D
Excellent comment. To echo Dale and Chris... good! That's what happened during our SB runs and where we need to get back to. Here's to hoping every one of our cuts goes on to play for another team! I am excited to see how it shakes out and am looking forward to the future anxiety of wondering whether we kept the right guys because everyone else gets scooped up.
There is a chance that we might see RWIII actually return kicks and Sims get cut. We can carry 1 fewer WR that way, and he plays both ways on ST. If Cody White keeps balling out, somebody's gonna have to go or sign to PS. Idk if any of those 3 will pass waivers this year. I know Cody has been on PS for a couple years, now; but if he puts good work on preseason tape on top of the camp reports and the play he showed when getting on the field late in the season 2yrs ago, he may get more interest from other teams this time around. Of course, it doesn't have to be a WR who gets bumped, and if the game tape was that impressive, why did he not get plucked last year? Just a thought.
Your reasoning for keeping more TEs seems sound.
RWIII blocked 4 kicks last year in college
Could Millroe stand in as a RB bench player?
It’s a good problem to have.
Exactly. We need to embrace the fact that as our roster improves, other teams will want our castoffs, and some of them will do well. Feels off, but it’s a good thing.
"It leaves the door open for Zabel to still be moved to center at some point in the future and that wouldn’t be the best thing for his value." If'n Our New Zabel turns out to be a Superb center, then we well might be extremely happy with this. It is said that centers need to be extremely intelligent to quickly look over the defense and call the protections.
Jalen Milroe Did win the William V. Campbell Trophy, also known as the Academic Heisman.
... just sayin'.
Sims has had good press, but I doubt he has more special teams value than White III. I was glad to see RB3 instead of RB4. Historically, when the Seahawks carry a fullback, the typically carry only 3 RB. They are more likely to carry an extra FB when the FBs are new than they are to carry 4 RB. 7 WR could happen if Sims looks like the man on returns, but I hope that they learn from the Dee Williams debacle and make sure that the returner has multifaceted value. I'm hopeful that we keep both drafted WR.