The Seahawks made a series of roster moves on Tuesday to get down to the 53-player roster limit. It's important to remember that the roster established on cut day rarely, if ever, is the same one that will take the field for the season opener—changes can and almost certainly will take place over the next two weeks—but with that disclaimer in mind, let's take a look at the initial 53-man roster.
Quarterback (2): Geno Smith, Drew Lock
Geno Smith won the starting job out of camp, but as Seahawks coach Pete Carroll noted after announcing Smith the starter, the team also really likes what Lock can do and is confident in his ability should his number get called at some point this year. Jacob Eason, who was waived, would likely be a candidate to return on the practice squad should he clear waivers on Wednesday.
Running Back (4): Rashaad Penny, DeeJay Dallas, Travis Homer, Kenneth Walker III
These four players seemed pretty certain to make the team all along. The only real mystery in the short term is weather or not Walker is ready for Week 1. While the Seahawks don't often use a fullback, they do have Nick Bellore available to play that role, though he spent all of training camp and the preseason working at linebacker.
Receiver (6): Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf, Dee Eskridge, Marquise Goodwin, Penny Hart, Dareke Young
Lockett, Metcalf and Eskridge were all but locks to make the team all along, and Goodwin's strong start to camp was enough to overcome a hamstring injury that kept him from playing in the preseason. Hart's value on special teams, as well as the big-play ability he flashed at receiver, including a 35-yard touchdown at Dallas, were enough to keep his job on the team despite some tough competition. Rookie Dareke Young made the team with a strong camp, while fellow seventh-round pick Bo Melton would seem a likely candidate to come back on the practice squad should he clear waivers. One notable cut at this spot was Freddie Swain, who was the No. 3 receiver most of last season, as well as the team's punt returner. Eskridge returned punts in Seattle's preseason finale and was a standout returner in college, so he could be in line to take over that role.
Tight End (3): Will Dissly, Noah Fant, Colby Parkinson
Dissly, Fant and Parkinson always looked to be the trio the team would keep on the roster. The only real question was whether a fourth tight end could win a spot, most likely Tyler Mabry, and while he didn't make the cut, he very well could end up back on the practice squad.
Offensive Line (9): Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas, Jake Curhan, Stone Forsythe, Gabe Jackson, Damien Lewis, Phil Haynes, Austin Blythe, Kyle Fuller
The Seahawks very well could head into the season with rookies starting at both tackle spots—Lucas got the start at right tackle over Curhan in the final preseason game—and liked what they saw out of both of their starting guards, as well as top backup Haynes. Curhan's versatility adds to his value, while Lewis beat out Dakoda Shepley for the No. 2 center job.
Defensive Line (8): Poona Ford, Al Woods, Bryan Mone, Myles Adams, Quinton Jefferson, Shelby Harris, L.J. Collier
A few weeks ago, Adams making the team might have come as a surprise, but given how well he played in camp and the preseason, him making the 53 became the most likely outcome by last weekend. And while seven total linemen might seem low, it's worth remembering that the shift to a 3-4 defense means that edge rushers who previously would have been defensive ends are now listed as linebackers, as you'll see below.
Linebacker (8): Jordyn Brooks, Cody Barton, Nick Bellore, Darrell Taylor, Uchenna Nwosu, Boye Mafe, Alton Robinson, Joshua Onujiogu
The biggest surprise here is that Josh Onujiogu, who went undrafted out of Division III Framingham State, made the cut, but his stock continued to rise throughout camp, culminating in Friday night's preseason finale in which he had three tackles and a sack. The rest of the players above were expected to make the team, though if there is a concern at linebacker, it would be the depth at inside linebacker where only Bellore is available as a backup to Brooks and Barton. The Seahawks very well could still add to that spot, while another option would be to use practice squad elevations to provide game-day depth. Rookie outside linebacker Tyreke Smith was placed on injured reserve, meaning he'll have to sit out the season.
Cornerback (6): Coby Bryant, Artie Burns, Sidney Jones IV, Michael Jackson, Tariq Woolen, John Reid
The biggest surprise here is the release of Justin Coleman, who had been the No. 1 nickel corner throughout camp. As a vested veteran, Coleman is not subject to waivers, so it is possible the Seahawks could bring him back. For the time being, however, that would put Bryant in the driver's seat for the nickel job. Michael Jackson looked to be on the outside looking in early in camp, but was one of the team's top performers throughout the preseason, allowing him to win a job. The biggest question now is whether or not the rookie Woolen is a starter to open the season or if veterans Burns and Jones step back into the lineup when fully healthy.
Safety (5): Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams, Josh Jones, Ryan Neal, Joey Blount
Blount is one of two undrafted rookies on the initial 53 along with Onujiogu. The other four safeties were all very safe bets to make the team, while the surprise here is Marquise Blair missing the cut.
Specialists (3): P Michael Dickson, K Jason Myers, LS Tyler Ott
There was no mystery at any of these spots considering the Seahawks only had one player at each position throughout camp, and that all three performed well throughout camp and the preseason.
