The Seahawks made a series of moves Saturday, including one trade, to reduce their roster to 53 players.
Here's a look at the roster as it is currently constructed. As is the case ever year, it's worth remembering that the initial 53-man roster is often temporary. With hundreds of players hitting the waiver wire this weekend, the Seahawks could look to add somebody who is now available, and trades tend to be frequent this time of year, as is evident in Saturday's move to send an undisclosed 2016 draft pick to Kansas City for safety Kelcie McCray
Meet the 2015 Seattle Seahawks 53-man roster in photos.
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Seattle Seahawks fullback Will Tukuafu (46) during the second half of NFL Super Bowl XLIX football game Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Markus Wheaton (11) runs after taking a pass from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Kelcie McCray (24) in pursuit during the first half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Tom Puskar)
Quarterback (2): Russell Wilson, Tarvaris Jackson.
No surprises here. The Seahawks have gone with two quarterbacks more often than not under Pete Carroll and John Schneider, and with Jackson set to be back from an ankle injury this week, the Seahawks will go with Wilson as their starter and Jackson as the backup for the third straight season. B.J. Daniels making the team as a receiver also gives the Seahawks an option for a third quarterback in a pinch. Daniels, who played quarterback until moving to receiver this year, showed he can still run the offense when he finished Seattle's fourth preseason game playing his old position.
Running back/fullback (5): Marshawn Lynch, Christine Michael, Thomas Rawls, Derrick Coleman, Will Tukuafu.
With Robert Turbin going on injured reserve, this group will look a little different behind Lynch in 2015. Look for Christine Michael to be the No. 2 back, with undrafted rookie Thomas Rawls also making the team. The decision to keep two fullbacks could have to do with Tukuafu's versatility, as he also can play defensive line and contribute to special teams.
Update (9/6/15): The Seahawks traded Michael to the Dallas Cowboys for an undisclosed 2016 draft pick.
Receiver (6): Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Tyler Lockett, Ricardo Lockette, Chris Matthews, BJ Daniels.
The battle for the last couple of roster spots at receiver was one of the most competitive on the team. In the end, B.J. Daniels' versatility and athleticism helped him win a job ahead of University of Washington products Kasen Williams and Kevin Smith, both of whom had strong camps and could be candidates for the practice squad if they clear waivers.
Tight end (3): Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet.
Graham and Willson have been the top two tight ends throughout camp and will likely see the bulk of the playing time, so the question at this position group all along has been who would be the third tight end should the Seahawks decide to keep three. Despite being banged up at times in camp, Helfet's experience helped him get the nod.
Offensive line (9): Russell Okung, Justin Britt, Drew Nowak, JR Sweezy, Garry Gilliam, Alvin Bailey, Patrick Lewis, Mark Glowinski, Kristjan Sokoli.
In addition to their starting five, the Seahawks like Bailey for his versatility—he can play both tackle and guards spots—while Lewis provides a backup center with starting experience having filled in last year for four games. Glowinski, a fourth-round pick out of West Virginia, has looked solid as a backup guard, while Sokoli, a sixth-round pick who played defensive line in college, is more raw but has a lot of upside because of his athleticism.
Defensive line (9): Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Brandon Mebane, Ahtyba Rubin, Frank Clark, Jordan Hill, Cassius Marsh, Demarcus Dobbs, David King.
Another deep position that required some tough decisions. The starting line has been pretty settled for a while, and it's clear that Jordan Hill, Frank Clark and Cassius Marsh had roles as well, but the final couple of spots were very competitive. Rookie T.Y. McGill flashed at times in the preseason, as did Julius Warmsley, but didn't quite make the cut with Dobbs and King beating them out.
Linebacker (6): Bobby Wagner, KJ Wright, Bruce Irvin, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Brock Coyle, Mike Morgan.
Like the D-line, linebacker is an exceptionally deep position for Seattle. Coyle, Morgan and Pierre-Louis are all not just solid backups, but very good special teams players. Morgan being on the roster likely means his hamstring injury isn't too serious, while Eric Pinkins, who moved to linebacker from defensive back, missed the cut, but could be a practice squad candidate if he clears waivers.
Defensive back (10): Richard Sherman, Cary Williams, Earl Thomas, Dion Bailey, DeShawn Shead, Steven Terrell, Tye Smith, Marcus Burley, Tharold Simon, Kelcie McCray.
The trade for McCray adds some experienced depth at safety to a young group. Blackmon being released means the nickel corner job will come down to Marcus Burley and rookie Tye Smith. At safety, look for Dion Bailey to start in St. Louis with Shead, Terrell and McCray providing depth behind him and Thomas. As a reminder, Kam Chancellor does not count towards the 53-man roster until he reports.
Specialists (3): P Jon Ryan, K Steven Hauschka, LS Clint Gresham.
No surprises here, as all have excelled in their jobs, and also were the only player at their position on the roster.
