Top-When Lists
Which Seahawks could be top-10 at their position in 2026?
The Seahawks 53-man roster projection that was posted on Wednesday should highlight areas where Seattle is either weak or strong. Although the Seahawks can confidently say that most positions are set with quality starters — above-average to good players — how many would rank in the top-5 or top-10 for people who don’t root for Seattle?
ESPN’s rollout of top-10 rankings by “execs, coaches, and scouts” has so far revealed two Seahawks that have made their lists:
No Seahawks were mentioned on the edge rushers list despite Seattle spending $28.5 million in cap space at the position (league average) and using two early second round picks in back-to-back drafts. How many Seahawks will appear when the top-10s are revealed for tight ends, interior offensive linemen, tackles, quarterbacks, linebackers, receivers, and cornerbacks?
We can probably rule out tight ends, interior linemen, and quarterbacks. Ernest Jones might be an honorable mention or borderline top-10 choice at linebacker. Charles Cross might be an HM at best because the list will include both left and right tackles. Abe Lucas gets injured too often. Sam Darnold doesn’t get much respect. Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be an honorable mention, but the receiver position is highly competitive; JSN ranked 10th in receptions and 12th in yards last season.
More likely than not, Devon Witherspoon will be the third and final Seahawk to appear on any of these lists and not in the top-5. Tariq Woolen could be an honorable mention.
What does this all mean?
It does NOT mean that we, as fans, should care if voices — anonymous or public — “respect” Seattle’s starters. Everybody has the right to an opinion and teams will not win or lose games based on power rankings or top-10 lists.
We should be past caring if the Seahawks are being respected or disrespected by the national media.
What it does mean is that Seattle’s starters have yet to break through that wall that separates the undeniable from the deniable.
It is very easy to say that a player is not top-10 or top-5 at his position. It is impossible to make a good argument that Ja’Marr Chase isn’t a top-5 receiver or Saquon Barkley isn’t a top-5 running back.
Maybe that won’t be the case in the near future — in football, you’re status can change in an instant — but Chase and Barkley are among those rare undeniable players today and having those types on your roster is the most consistent key towards winning playoff games.
Whether those players are Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, and Travis Kelce, or Barkley, A.J. Brown, and Lane Johnson — in addition to a significant number of starters who will rank somewhere in the top-10 and honorable mention lists by people who don’t have any rooting interest in your team.
The Seahawks will not be heavily represented on anybody’s “top-10 player” lists this year, whether that’s ESPN, PFF, The Athletic, or any other outlet, but that does not mean that they couldn’t make an Eagles-similar leap in 2026.