The Seahawks reduced their roster to 53 players ahead of Tuesday's deadline with a series of roster moves, including one trade. It's worth remembering that the 53-man roster established today can and almost certainly will change between now and Seattle's September 7 opener against the 49ers, and that a lot of the players waived on Tuesday will be back with the team on Wednesday when Seattle can establish its practice squad.
"We're looking at it through the lens of, 'Hey, this is the 70. This is not the final 53,'" head coach Mike Macdonald said. "We need everybody in our building, all these guys have been awesome. This is the crew that we're building for the long haul and so it's a big day for these guys. I understand that. Big couple of days, but hopefully we have kind of a longer term view of their careers. We really appreciate the guys that have been here the whole time and done a great job."
With that disclaimer out of the way, let's take a position-by-position look at the initial 53-man roster, which features 27 players on offense, 23 on defense, and includes 11 rookies, eight of them draft picks, as well as a trio of undrafted rookies.
Quarterback (3):
- Sam Darnold
- Drew Lock
- Jalen Milroe
There was no mystery with this position, which has entirely turned over since last season. Sam Darnold, a free-agent addition, will be the starter, while Drew Lock, another free-agent signing gives the Seahawks an experienced backup. Jalen Milroe, a third-round pick, will have a role on offense to take advantage of his athleticism.
Running Back/Fullback (5)
- Zach Charbonnet
- George Holani
- Kenneth Walker III
- Robbie Ouzts
- Brady Russell
In new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak's system, the Seahawks will lean heavily on the running game, which is why the Seahawks will carry a pair of fullbacks in rookie Robbie Ouzts and Brady Russell, though Russell will also spend time at tight end. George Holani, who made the team last year as an undrafted free agent, beat out rookie Damien Martinez for the third spot.
Receiver (6)
- Jake Bobo
- Tory Horton
- Cooper Kupp
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba
- Cody White
- Dareke Young
The rise of rookie Tory Horton into the No. 3 spot led to the Seahawks releasing veteran Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who like Horton is a downfield threat, but who unlike Horton, Bobo, White and Young, does not play on special teams. White and Young in particular won jobs with standout play in camp and the preseason after coming in fighting for spots on the 53.
Tight End (4)
- Elijah Arroyo
- AJ Barner
- Nick Kallerup
- Eric Saubert
Undrafted rookie Nick Kallerup is the surprise of this group, but a strong showing in camp helped him win a job at a position group the Seahawks will lean heavily on in Kubiak's offense. Again, Brady Russell will also be in the mix here despite being listed as a fullback.
Offensive Line (9)
- Anthony Bradford
- Bryce Cabeldue
- Charles Cross
- Josh Jones
- Abraham Lucas
- Olu Oluwatimi
- Mason Richman
- Jalen Sundell
- Grey Zabel
Two rookies, Richman and Cabeldue, both make the cut as backups, while Jones is the swing tackle. Christian Haynes opens the year on injured reserve, all but cementing what was already apparent based on preseason games and practice reps, which is that Anthony Bradford will be the starting right guard.
Defensive Line (5)
- DeMarcus Lawrence
- Mike Morris
- Byron Murphy II
- Jarran Reed
- Leonard Williams
One of the Seahawks most talented and veteran groups, the Seahawks will be looking to Lawrence, Reed and Williams to help lead the defense, while there are high hopes for Murphy to make a Year 2 leap. The Seahawks will likely look to bolster this group by adding depth on the practice squad, likely including players they waived on Tuesday.
Linebacker/Outside Linebacker (8)
- Derick Hall
- Jared Ivey
- Ernest Jones IV
- Tyrice Knight
- Boye Mafe
- Uchenna Nwosu
- Connor O'Toole
- Drake Thomas
O'Toole and Ivey both make the initial roster as undrafted rookies, adding to a group led by Hall, Mafe and Nwosu. With only three off-ball linebackers, the Seahawks will no doubt look to add depth there on the practice squad.
Cornerback (5)
- Shaquill Griffin
- Josh Jobe
- Nehemiah Pritchett
- Devon Witherspoon
- Riq Woolen
Another position group that looked pretty clear-cut for the last few weeks, Jobe and Griffin both give the Seahawks experienced options behind the starting duo of Witherspoon and Woolen, while Pritchett had a strong camp and preseason to kick off his second season.
Safety (5)
- D'Anthony Bell
- Coby Bryant
- Nick Emmanwori
- Julian Love
- Ty Okada
The Seahawks figure to get rookie Nick Emmanwori on the field a ton with starters Julian Love and Coby Bryant, and Emmanwori's ability to play in the box also somewhat mitigates the lack of numbers at off-ball linebacker. Bell, a free-agent addition, will be a special teams mainstay, as will Ty Okada, who helped cement his spot on the roster with a great final preseason game. Jerrick Reed II is the odd man out here, but could well be back on the practice squad if he clears waivers.
Specialists (3)
- P Michael Dickson
- K Jason Myers
- LS Chris Stoll
The only mystery here was whether Stoll's back injury would allow him to be back for the start of the season, but the decision to release Zach Triner shows the Seahawks are counting on Stoll to be ready.
Check out photos of the Seahawks initial 53-man active roster after the end of the preseason.
This is a 2025 photo of DeMarcus Lawrence of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0)
This is a 2025 photo of Drew Lock of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2)
This is a 2025 photo of Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3)
This is a 2025 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5).
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Milroe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6)
This is a 2025 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7)
This is a 2025 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2025 photo of Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10)
This is a 2025 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
This is a 2025 photo of Ernest Jones IV of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13)
This is a 2025 photo of Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14)
This is a 2025 photo of Tory Horton of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15)
This is a 2025 photo of Elijah Arroyo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18)
This is a 2025 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19)
This is a 2025 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2025 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2025 photo of D'Anthony Bell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety D'Anthony Bell (23)
This is a 2019 photo of Shaquill Griffin of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster of as of June 10, 2019 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin (24).
This is a 2025 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2025 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2025 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2025 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29)
This is a 2025 photo of George Holani of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back George Holani (36)
This is a 2025 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2025 photo of Ty Okada of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39)
This is a 2025 photo of Robbie Ouzts of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40)
This is a 2025 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2025 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
This is a 2025 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2025 photo of Jared Ivey of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51)
This is a 2025 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2025 photo of Olu Oluwatimi of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55)
This is a 2025 photo of Connor O'Toole of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57)
This is a 2025 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2025 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67)
This is a 2025 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72)
This is a 2025 photo of Josh Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74)
This is a 2025 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
This is a 2025 photo of Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76)
This is a 2025 photo of Bryce Cabeldue of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77)
This is a 2025 photo of Mason Richman of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78)
This is a 2025 photo of Eric Saubert of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81)
This is a 2025 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82)
This is a 2025 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2025 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2025 photo of Nick Kallerup of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Signed tight end Nick Kallerup (89) on May 2, 2025.
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2025 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2025 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
