Seahawks Projected Roster: Getting to 53

The Seahawks have less than two weeks until they have to cu their roster down to 53 players. Here's our take on what the roster will look like after final cuts are made Aug. 31.

By John Breech

Aug 22, 2012 at 4:05 pm ET • 4 min read

Here’s our stab at the Seahawks' final 53-man roster, including a look at one guy who helped himself this past week and one guy who hurt himself.

Stock rising: S Jeron Johnson -- When you’re trying to make a roster, a game like the one Johnson had against the Broncos certainly doesn’t hurt. The Boise State product intercepted a Peyton Manning pass, forced a fumble and tied for the team lead in solo tackles (4).

Stock falling: S Winston Guy -- Guy’s stock isn’t falling quite as fast as Facebook’s, but it is falling. The Broncos blocked a punt and tipped a punt in Saturday’s game and both looked to be Guy’s fault. Pete Carroll’s take on the blocks, “It was embarrassing.” When you’re trying to make a roster, you never want the coach to describe something you do as embarrassing.

From now until final cuts are made on Aug. 31, we’ll take a once-a-week crack at projecting the Seahawks final 53-man roster.

QB – In (3): Russell Wilson, Matt Flynn, Josh Portis. Out: Tarvaris Jackson. Analysis: No changes from last week. OK, there is one slight change; Russell Wilson is now listed ahead of Matt Flynn.

RB – In (5): Marshawn Lynch, Leon Washington, Robert Turbin, Kregg Lumpkin and Michael Robinson (FB). Out: Tyrell Sutton, Vai Taua Analysis: Kregg Lumpkin and Cameron Morrah don’t play the same position, but they may be battling for a roster spot. If the Seahawks keep five running backs, there’s a good chance Lumpkin makes the team. If Carroll goes with four backs, that extra roster spot may mean a fourth tight end makes the team, which would benefit Morrah.

WR – In (6): Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Terrell Owens, Ben Obomanu, Deon Butler. Out: Braylon Edwards, Kris Durham, Ricardo Lockette, Charly Martin, Jermaine Kearse, Lavasier Tuinei, Phil Bates. Analysis: Again, wide receiver is the hardest position to project. T.O. keeps his spot here because he proved he still has the ability to get open. If he can learn the offense quickly -- he only had a little over one week of practice under his belt before the Denver game -- he turns into a potential weapon. Braylon Edwards, who was on the bubble last week, did nothing against Denver to move himself onto the lock list. Durham and Lockette are also on the bubble right now, but they're on the side of the bubble that you don't want to be on when cut day comes around.

TE – In (3): Zach Miller, Kellen Winslow Jr., Anthony McCoy. Out: Cameron Morrah , Sean McGrath, Cooper Helfet. Analysis: The coaching staff has been itching to see McCoy make a few big catches and although he only made one against Denver, it was a definitely a big one. McCoy’s 26-yard catch on a throw from Russell Wilson that converted a third-and-17 is the kind of play that can help you make a roster. Morrah is still the odd man in if the Hawks decide to keep four tight ends.

OL – In (9): Russell Okung, Paul McQuistan, John Moffitt, Max Unger, Breno Giacomini, Deuce Lutui, Frank Omiyale, J.R. Sweezy, Lemuel Jeanpierre. Out: Allen Barbre, Alex Barron, Rishaw Johnson, Paul Fanaika, Edwan Coughman , Kris O’Dowd. PUP: James Carpenter. Analysis: Carroll was asked on Twitter Monday to name a player who’s "under the media radar" and having a tremendous camp. Carroll’s reply: J.R. Sweezy. When your coach tells his 626,961 followers on Twitter that you’re having a tremendous camp, you can feel pretty confident that you’re going to make the team. Of the people on the ‘in’ list, Omiyale’s position is probably the most tenuous.

DL – In (9): Chris Clemons, Red Bryant, Alan Branch, Brandon Mebane, Clinton McDonald, Bruce Irvin, Gregg Scruggs, Jason Jones, Jaye Howard. Out: Pep Livingston , Pierre Allen, Cordarro Law. Analysis: Scruggs continued to improve his chances of making the roster with his play against Denver Saturday; he had the team’s only sack in the game.

LB – In (6): K.J. Wright, Bobby Wagner, Heath Farwell, Leroy Hill, Michael Morgan, Malcolm Smith. Out: Korey Toomer, Jameson Konz, Allen Bradford, Kyle Knox, Matt McCoy. Analysis: Last week the prediction here was that Barrett Ruud was expendable and that the Seahawks would cut him. Seattle didn’t cut Ruud, but they did trade him to New Orleans. Morgan, Smith and Toomer look to be fighting for two roster spots and right now, we’re going to say Toomer is the odd man out.

DB – In (9): Brandon Browner, Richard Sherman, Marcus Trufant, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Roy Lewis, Phillip Adams, Chris Maragos, Jeron Johnson . Out: Byron Maxwell, Coye Francies, Ron Parker, Jeremy Lane, Winston Guy , DeShawn Shead. Donny Lisowski PUP: Walter Thurmond. Analysis: Johnson is the newest addition here, but this is definitely a fluid situation. Lane and Maxwell could still possibly work their way on to the roster. Guy may have cost himself a spot on the team with his horrid special teams play against Denver.

Special teams – In (3): P Jon Ryan, LS Clint Greshman , K Steven Hauschka. Out: No one. Analysis: With the release of kicker Carson Wiggs last week, there’s no competition left in camp for these three guys. If you’re looking for a Seahawks jersey to buy, you should feel pretty confident making a Hauschka, Ryan or Greshman purchase.

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Seahawks blogger John Breech follow @JohnBreech and@CBSSportsNFLSEA.