Seattle Seahawks: Early 55-man roster predictions after the 2020 draft
By Samuel Teets
With the roster size expanding to 55 players under the new CBA, the Seattle Seahawks have more room for their new influx of talent.
With the first wave of free agency and the NFL Draft officially in the rearview mirror, we can begin predicting who the Seattle Seahawks will keep on their roster this coming season. After multiple large draft classes, the Seahawks must strike a balance between keeping enough experienced veterans and putting too many young players in the lineup.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement (CBA), NFL teams can dress 48 active players on game day instead of the usual 46. The CBA also allows for two practice squad players to be elevated to the team’s active roster per week, which increases the standard roster size from 53 players to 55. For a full breakdown of the new CBA’s rules, check out Dan Graziano‘s article on ESPN.
The altered rules open the door for Seattle to keep around some of their younger players while prioritizing cushioning their youth with veteran leadership.
Quarterbacks (2): Russell Wilson and a veteran backup
Wilson returns for his ninth season at the helm of Seattle’s offense. The six-time Pro Bowler earned Second-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in 2019, and he seems in line for another shot at the league MVP. Wilson ran long but unsuccessful MVP campaigns last season and in 2017.
Seattle’s backup quarterback position matters the least of any backup spot in the NFL. Eight years into his career, Wilson has started all 128 of Seattle’s games. Despite playing behind a horrendous pass-blocking offensive line, Wilson uses his intelligence and athleticism to avoid taking big hits. However, the Seahawks do always carry at least one backup quarterback.
While the Seahawks signed rookie Anthony Gordon as an undrafted free agent, don’t expect him to sit behind Wilson in 2020. If the perennial MVP candidate went down, Seattle wants an experienced player ready to take over. Geno Smith, who remains unsigned in free agency, spent last year in Seattle. He is a prime candidate for a veteran signing in the second wave of free agency.
If Seattle passes on Smith, the team could sign Blake Bortles or Cody Kessler. Some fans might bring up the idea of signing Cam Newton, but the former Panther will not sign as a backup, according to The Athletic’s Joseph Person (subscription required). Other high-profile backups like Andy Dalton and Jameis Winston already found new homes.