The Seahawks host the Raiders Thursday night in their final preseason game, and while a lot of the starters don't figure to play much, at all, the fourth preseason game represents a huge opportunity for young players who are fighting for roster spots and for solving a few still-unresolved position battles.
"This is a game of opportunity for a lot of young guys," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. "They have really their final shot with us to play their ball, show where they fit and belong here and in other spots around the league. We have a really nice roster of guys and it's really competitive. There's a lot of battles waged here again this week and this Thursday night that are going to be important for the future for the Seahawks and for these players. We are going to respect it and honor the heck out of it and give these guys a great chance to be ready to play and then play and get their ops and show where they belong. It's a big deal."
With that in mind, here are six players and competitions to watch in Thursday night's game at CenturyLink Field:
1. Which bubble players can finalize a job on Seattle's roster, or perhaps win a spot on another team.
While everything players have been doing since Day 1 of camp will be weighed into roster decisions, it can't hurt to make a good final impression ahead of cut day, and for roster hopefuls, this can feel like a make-or-break game, ratcheting up the pressure a little bit. Who handles that well and performs up to their potential could make all the difference, not just in terms of making Seattle's roster, but also for impressing other teams that will be scouring the waiver wire on Sunday.
"We just want them to show as much as they can," Carroll said. "If it's 'always compete' as the philosophy, then I've got to do my job to give these guys a chance to show it. If I'm not getting that done, then I'm not competing. That's going to happen. Again, we played our guys a lot and they've shown a lot, but this is that final one. They know. They know it's the final test before it comes down to making decisions. They're not just trying out for us. They're trying out for other clubs too. This time of year is so active for the personnel department. They're looking at every team and every team is looking at us and all of that. Everybody's trying to find out when guys become available, will they fit their team. Just because they get released doesn't mean there aren't all kinds of stories to write for the future of these guys. As always, any time there's an opportunity to compete, we are doing it. Our guys are madly after it trying to figure out what may be available on other rosters as well. That's just what this time is all about. This is such a good group, I would think that a bunch of these guys, if guys can't make our club, they'll have a chance to make other clubs. I don't know if that'll happen, but I feel like it will."
2. The last shot to grab ahold of the nickel corner job.
Yes, we keep coming back to this spot because it appears to be one of the most wide-open starting jobs still up for grabs. Kalan Reed went on injured reserve this week with a neck injury, so he's no longer part of the battle, but Jamar Taylor, Ugo Amadi and Akeem King all still have a chance to win that job.
"It's a competitive spot," Carroll said. "J-Taylor has done a nice job, shows experience. He's played a lot of football and awareness and all that. Ugo has been pretty special at times and he's really shown a top end to his play. Both the guys are really quick and kind of the same stature and size and style of player. We're looking for consistency and what we can count on as well as the productivity. Akeem King has been there too. He's also a guy that can play in there for situational stuff and different matchups and things like that. Really, it's not completed yet. It's still going."
3. Which young receiver steps up?
David Moore isn't expected to be ready for the start of the regular season, and DK Metcalf’s Week 1 status is still up in the air, which means that beyond Tyler Lockett and Jaron Brown, it's a wide-open battle at receiver not just for roster spots, but perhaps also for a significant role early in the season. Rookie John Ursua has come on strong of late, while fourth-round pick Gary Jennings is still looking for a breakout game, and Malik Turner and Keenan Reynolds have experience on their side. Undrafted rookie Jazz Ferguson had a huge first preseason game, and while he hasn't quite produced at that level in the past two games, he's still a very intriguing option thanks to his rare size.
"It would be really nice to see Gary and John get a lot of play time, and Malik and those guys," Carroll said. "Everybody's got a shot to play in this game, everybody's in the rotation, so yeah it's important for John. I know enough about it right now, that it's going to take those guys a while. They're not fully up to speed, they both missed time, just John and Gary for instance. They both missed time. It's a harder position than you think, there are so many intricacies to it. We've had young guys where it's taken them a while. It's rare when the young guys really play well early. I think DK is different from the other guys we've brought in here, it just seems to come to him naturally. Other guys struggle with the detail a little bit more."
4. What can Shaquem Griffin show in his new role?
The Seahawks moved second-year linebacker Shaquem Griffin into a new role for 2019, having him work primarily as a strongside linebacker after playing him at weakside linebacker last year. That move was made to take advantage of Griffin's speed and pass-rush skills, and he said he felt more comfortable there, but because of a knee injury that kept him out of the past two preseason games, he hasn't really had a good chance to show what he can do in that new role. A strong showing Thursday could help him solidify a role in Seattle's defense.
"He's really featured as the Sam backer on the outside so we can get him on the edge," Carroll said. "That's the position that gets the pressure from the edge, it's not the kind of blitzing through the line of scrimmage. He's looked good at that stuff because he's so darn fast. Been a little disrupted with his knee being banged up a bit, but he's back and he's ready to go, this is an important game for him just to show where he finishes off the preseason."
5. The final chapter of the backup quarterback competition?
Once the Seahawks added Geno Smith to the backup quarterback competition with Paxton Lynch, Carroll made it clear that the Seahawks would use all four preseason games to evaluate those two. Things haven't gone according to plan with both missing a game due to injury, but both have had good chances to show what they can do, and both should see a lot of playing time Thursday as they try to win the No. 2 job.
"We're still doing it," Carroll said of evaluating that spot. "They've both had their moments, certainly. They've basically taken care of the ball really well. It's just an important factor. They can both run the offense. I'm really anxious to get another assessment here, especially on Paxton. He's going to play in this game. Those two guys, he and Geno will split it and see how they do, and maybe get a little work for J.T. (Barrett)."
6. How is the offensive line depth looking?
While the starting offensive line looks to be settled, there are some questions when it comes to depth, particularly with injuries taking their toll. Those injuries, as well as how some young players look on Thursday, will be a factor in some of the roster decisions the Seahawks make on Saturday. Of particular interest could be how veteran Marcus Martin looks at center. While Justin Britt is locked into the starting job, the depth behind him is a bit unsettled thanks to injuries. Ethan Pocic, one of Seattle's most versatile linemen, has been the starting left guard throughout the preseason thanks to Mike Iupati's injuries. That left Joey Hunt as the only backup behind Britt, but Hunt left last weekend's game with a high ankle sprain and won't play Thursday. If Hunt isn't ready for Week 1, would the Seahawks keep Martin as their No. 2 center, or would Pocic be the emergency backup despite having a starting role if Iupati isn't ready?
"Marcus is an interesting case," Carroll said. "I think he has 29 starts or something like that as a center, so he's got good background. He's a real big body in there. I'm real anxious to see him play. I've been kind of on his butt all week to make this transition and take advantage of this opportunity with Joey being banged up. He's going to play a lot in this game."
The Seahawks face the Raiders at Lumen Field for Week 12 of the 2022 season. Take a look back at photos from previous games between the two teams.
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Dave Brown (22) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders in Oakland, on November 6, 1977. The Raiders defeated the Seattle 44-7. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on November 26, 1978. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 17-16. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks Jim Zorn and kicker Efren Herrera (1) watch as the winning field goal goes through the crossbars in the last three seconds of play in game with Oakland Raiders in Oakland, Calif., Nov. 26, 1978. The kick was good for 46 yards and provided Seattle with 17-16 margin of victory. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) throws a pass during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders on October 26, 1980. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 33-14. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive end John Matuszak (72) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (10) during play in an NFL football game in 1981. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Los Angeles Raider Marcus Allen (32), center, makes his way over the goal line to score in second quarter action against the Seattle Seahawks at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca., Dec. 5, 1982. (AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
Seattle Seahawks Steve Largent (80) runs a pass pattern during game against the Los Angeles Raiders at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Dec. 5, 1982. Raiders won, 28-22. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Los Angeles Raiders Hall of Fame linebacker Ted Hendricks (83) pressures Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg (17) during an NFL game at the Los Angeles Coliseum on October 30, 1983. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 34-21. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back David Hughes (46) runs upfield during the 1983 AFC Championship NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders in Los Angeles, Jan. 8, 1984. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 30-14. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
Seattle Seahawks safety Kenny Easley (45) rushes upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders Oct. 7, 1984, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks running back Dan Doornink (33) goes for yardage in the second quarter while Los Angeles Raiders Vann McElroy (28) tackles him, as Raiders Mike Davis (36) watches during the Raiders 13-7 loss in the AFC wild card game at the Kingdome in Seattle, Wash., Saturday, Dec. 22, 1984. Doornink carried for 123 yards with 27 carries. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
Marcus Allen action (32) of the Los Angeles Raiders makes the first down on this second quarter play against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 15, 1985, Los Angeles, Calif. Defending Allen are Seattle's John Harris (44) and Paul Moyer (21). (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80), center, holds the ball after catching a touchdown pass from Dave Krieg in the first quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Raiders in Seattle, Dec. 9, 1986. With Largent is Daryl Turner (81) and Paul Skansi (82). Seattle won 37-0. (AP Photo)
Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett (16) suffers a ten-yard sack at the hands of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Fredd Young (50), at Seattle, Dec. 8, 1986. (AP Photo)
Running back Bo Jackson (34) of the Los Angeles Raiders follows Dokie Williams (85) for a four yard gain against the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of the Monday night game in Seattle, Wash., Nov. 30, 1987. Jackson had 122 yards in the first half of the game . (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks receiver Steve Largent (80), right, grabs a first-quarter 15-yard pass for a touchdown as he beats Lionel Washington (48) of the Los Angeles Raiders, during their night game in Seattle, Nov. 28, 1988. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Dave Krieg (17) eludes Los Angeles Raiders defender Greg Townsend, right, as Krieg scrambles to find a receiver late in the fourth quarter in Los Angeles, Oct. 2, 1989. Krieg completed 22 of 31 passes for 227 yards as the Seahawks edged the Raiders, 24-20. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)
Seattle Seahawks guard Edwin Bailey (65) battles Los Angeles Raiders linebacker Jerry Robinson (57) in an NFL game, Oct. 14, 1990, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks center Grant Feasel (54) gets set to snap the ball during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders, Oct. 14, 1990, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Seattle Seahawks Chris Warren(42) in action during his 1992 season game against the Los Angeles Raiders on November 15, 1992 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders beat the Seahawks 20-3. Chris Warren played for 11 years with 3 different teams and was a 3-time Pro Bowler.(AP Photo/David Durochik)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Rick Mirer (3) gets set to throw a pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Raiders Dec. 12, 1993, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Los Angeles Raiders wide receiver Raghib Ismail, (86) battles Seattle Seahawks Carlton Gray for the ball in the end zone during second quarter NFL action in Los Angeles, Sept. 11, 1994. The effort failed the pass was incomplete. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
Oakland Raiders running back Napoleon Kaufman (26) is tackled during an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 8, 1995 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 34 to 14. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 22, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 28-21. Oakland Raiders linebacker Mike Morton (50) tracks down Seattle Seahawks running back Lamar Smith (36) in the rain. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 22, 1996. Seahawks beat Raiders 28-21. Oakland Raiders defensive back Lorenzo Lynch (43) and linebacker Mike Morton (50) hold on to Seattle Seahawks running back Lamar Smith (36). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 14, 1997. Seahawks beat Raiders 22-21. Seattle Seahawks running back Chris Warren (42). (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver James McKnight (82) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Nov. 15, 1998, in Oakland, Calif. (Allen Kee via AP)
Seattle Seahawks punter Jeff Feagles (10) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders Nov. 15, 1998, in Oakland, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
Oakland Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks at Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Sunday, December 5, 1999. Raiders beat Seahawks 30-21. Oakland Raiders center Adam Treu (62) and Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy (96) have words. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks kicker Todd Peterson (2) lifts his arms up as he hits a 45-yard field goal to put Seattle ahead 22-21 in the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, Oct. 3, 1999 against the Oakland Raiders in Seattle. The field goal was all Seattle needed as they held off Oakland to win the game. Also shown is Oakland's K. D. Williams (59) and Seattle's Christian Fauria (86). (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks running back Ricky Watters (32) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game, 31 to 3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Eric Barton (50) rushes Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (8) on Sunday, September 30, 2001, in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 38-14. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Walter Jones (71) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2001 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game, 38-14. (Greg Trott via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive back Zack Bronson (31) is seen in action during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2002, in Oakland, Calif. (Greg Trott via AP)
Oakland Raiders linebacker Eric Barton (50) tracks down Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander (37) on Sunday, September 8, 2002, in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Seahawks 31-17. (AP Photo/Al Golub)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace scrambles out of trouble against the Oakland Raiders in the first half of an NFL football game at Qwest Field in Seattle Monday, Nov. 6, 2006. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks' running back Leonard Weaver runs away from Oakland Raiders' Chris Clemons (48), and Robert Thomas (55) in the second quarter of NFL Football action at Qwest Field in Seattle on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)
Seattle Seahawks' T.J. Duckett runs against the Oakland Raiders' during the first quarter of an NFL preseason football game Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, in Seattle. Duckett rushed for 71 yards and scored two touchdowns in the 23-16 win for the Seahawks. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks' Devin Moore, center left, tries to dodge a tackle from Oakland Raiders' Sam Williams, center right, and Jerome Boyd, right, in the second half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate (81) heads downfield during an NFL game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2010 in Oakland. The Raiders won the game 33 to 3. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (6) hands off to Thomas Clayton (45) in the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks running back Thomas Clayton dives into the end zone over Raiders defenders for a touchdown during a preseason game against Oakland on September 2, 2011.
Seattle Seahawks defenders force a fumble in a preseason matchup against the Oakland Raiders on August 30, 2012.
Seattle Seahawks' Cooper Helfet dives across the goal line to score against the Oakland Raiders in the second half of a preseason NFL football game Thursday, Aug. 30, 2012 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Seahawks' Walter Thurmond, left, makes a one-handed interception of a pass intended for Oakland Raiders' Jacoby Ford (12), right, in the first half of an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson flips the football to a Seahawks receiver to evade oncoming Oakland defender during a preseason game on August 29, 2013.
Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Wilson pulls down reception in the open field against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game on August 28, 2014.
Seattle Seahawks corner back DeShawn Shead celebrates as he enters the end zone after returning a Raiders pass back for six during a preseason game on August 28, 2014.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril celebrates during a game against the Oakland Raiders on November 2, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 30-24.
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Bruce Irvin takes back an interception for a touchdown during a game against the Raiders on November 4, 2014. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 30-24.
Seattle Seahawks free safety Ryan Murphy scans the Oakland Raiders backfield during a preseason game on September 3, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett runs by Raiders defenders on his way to the end zone during a preseason game on September 3, 2015.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson prepares to lead the team out to the field in Oakland during a preseason game on September 1, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks running back Alex Collins powers past Oakland defenders during a preseason game on September 1, 2016.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Kenny Lawler celebrates in the end zone after scoring a late game touchdown against the Oakland Raiders during a preseason game on August 31, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks Rodney Smith walks in for a score during a preseason matchup against the Raiders on August 31, 2017.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson tips an Oakland Raiders pass during a preseason game on August 30, 2018.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Austin Davis throws a pass down the field during a preseason game against the Oakland Raiders on August 30, 2018.
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin pulls down a tough catch over an Oakland Raiders defender during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson throws down the field against the Oakland Raiders during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jarren Reed sacks Oakland quarterback Derek Carr during a game in London on October 14, 2018. The Seahawks defeated the Raiders 27-3.
