The brief glimpse we saw of the Seattle Seahawks’ starters this preseason was tantalizing. The offense had renewed energy with Klint Kubiak calling plays and Sam Darnold under center. The defense seemed ready to build on last year’s strong finish.
The projected starters did not play in the final game of the 2025 preseason against the Green Bay Packers. This game was about two things: determining a few final roster spots and staying as healthy as possible.
A terrible bad-luck play just before halftime left both wide receiver Jake Bobo and cornerback Tyler Hall on the turf for an extended period. As of this writing, their conditions are unknown, though both appeared to be in decent shape when they left the field.
Seattle Seahawks cut bait on several failed draft gambles in final 53-man roster prediction
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There did not appear to a lot of roster spots up for grabs entering the Packers game. But a lot of players made strong arguments that they should be included. Will their efforts pay off?
### QUARTERBACK (3)
* Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe
Milroe played the entire game against Green Bay, and though he made some good plays, he also showed why he is still a long way from being a reliable NFL QB. Darnold is clearly going to be QB1 entering the season. He will stay that way unless the worst happens and he gets hurt.
One wonders, though, if [some needy team will inquire](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-fleece-sam-darnold-old-team-qb-trade-package) about Lock. The Seahawks could get a draft pick for him, sure, but that moves Milroe up to QB2 and he isn't ready for that.
### RUNNING BACK (3)
* Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet, George Holani
Damien Martinez, Anthony Tyus, and Jacardia Wright took all the snaps in preseason Week 3, which meant the three mentioned above are probably locks. Wright broke one big run, and Martiniez looked pretty good, but no one did enough to earn a spot.
The biggest question might be who will be RB1. Charbonnet has outplayed Walker in training camp and the preseason. He deserves to be the starter.
### FULLBACK (1)
Ouzts in the starter but Brady Russell is going to get some reps there, too. Russell will be listed as tight end, though. Keeping two fullbacks on the roster would be too 1972.
### WIDE RECEIVER (6)
* Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tory Horton, Dareke Young, Jake Bobo
This is really tricky. Players with roster spots secured did not play on Saturday. Valdes-Scantling played a lot. Is he really in danger? Bobo looked like he may have sustained a concussion before halftime in preseason Week 3.
Those two players suddenly find their spots in question. If Bobo is in danger of missing time, it might lead Macdonald to keep a seventh receiver, but for now, we’ll think positively. But I do suspect John Schneider will be scanning the waiver wire.
Obviously, JSN and Kupp are going to get the most targets as long as they stay healthy. Horton will probably be WR3, and evolve into a WR2 in a year or so. Of note, Cody White had a terrific preseason Week 3.
### TIGHT END (3)
* A.J. Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Brady Russell
Russell and Ouzts can help out here if needed. Eric Saubert has a shot, but I don't think Seattle will keep five players at tight end/fullback. The only issue with that logic is that Saubert adds a bunch of experience that Arroyo and Ouzts don't have.
It is easy to imagine Mike Macdonald and John Schneider finding room for a fourth tight end as offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's scheme relies on them to be successful. The Seahawks also have a good group of TEs to choose from.
### OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
* Charles Cross, Abraham Lucas, Grey Zabel, Olu Oluwatimi, Josh Jones, Anthony Bradford, Bryce Cabeldue, Jalen Sundell, Michael Jerrell
Time move on from both guards drafted in 2024. Bryce Cabeldue has outplayed them. Maybe he wasn't perfect against the Packers, but he has done well enough to have a place on the team.
The best news might be that this group seems to be Seattle's best in years. Not only will Cross and company be better, they could turn out to be a top-15 unit. That means the Seahawks' offense is going to be a lot more efficient and keep the defense fresh.
### DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
* Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Byron Murphy II, Mike Morris, Brandon Pili, Quinton Bohanna
Bohanna didn’t win a spot on Saturday, but I still have this feeling that Mike Macdonald wants a second big nose tackle to rotate with Pili. Rylie Mills’ health allows Macdonald to keep both Bohanna and Mike Morris to start the season.
Expect Byron Murphy II to take a second-year leap, especially as teams will focus on the greatness that is Leonard Williams. Seattle's starting three could be among the best in the league, capable of dominating against the run and pressuring the passer.
### OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (5)
* DeMarcus Lawrence, Derick Hall, Boye Mafe, Tyreke Smith, Uchenna Nwosu
Nwosu’s return bumps Connor O’Toole to the practice squad, though he may be targeted by other teams with the need for an edge rusher. Could Seattle still make a splash move for Trey Hendrickson ot Micah Parsons? Maybe.
Mafe is entering the final year of his rookie deal and could be [due for a breakout season](https://12thmanrising.com/seattle-seahawks-watching-former-breakout-pick-closer-ever). 10+ sacks could certainly happen. This might turn out to be a very disruptive group.
### INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)
* Ernest Jones IV, Tyrice Knight, Drake Thomas, Patrick O’Connell
O’Connell won a spot against the Packers. He won it on his deep coverage as much as on his run fills. Thomas has been solid throughout camp, but both players will be backups.
The biggest concern in Knight's injury issue, but he seems to be OK now. He was a surprise starter midway through 2024, and a good one. Jones is one of the more underrated linebackers in the league.
### CORNERBACK (6)
* Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen, Josh Jobe, Shaquill Griffin, Damarion Williams, Nehemiah Pritchett
Damarion Williams won his spot on Saturday. Despite his DPI I the end zone, Williams was excellent both in coverage and in closing down screen plays. The jury will remain out on Pritchett until he proves he can perform in the regular season, but he seems to be improving in his second year.
Witherspoon and Woolen are locks and _must_ be good for the entire season. Jobe is like the new DJ Reed, but he has to prove he can be good for the second season in a row. Griffin looked slow in preseason Week 3. The depth for this group is iffy.
### SAFETY (4)
* Julian Love, Coby Bryant, Nick Emmanwori, D’Anthony Bell
Like Jobe, Bryant has to show he can be good for two straight seasons. Love is a constant and a good one. How much of an impact will Emmanwori have? He was great in training camp, but he will be used differently in the regular season. Don't blame him too much if he misses a lot in coverage to begin with.
### SPECIALISTS (3)
* Kicker Jason Myers, Punter Michael Dickson, Long snapper Chris Stoll
Myers and Dickson are brilliant at what they do and might be the best kicker-punter duo in the NFL. Stoll is very good, too, but has been having back issues in the preseason.
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