NFL 2026 roster cuts: A final Seahawks 53-man roster projection

We’re less than 24 hours away from the Seattle Seahawks finalizing their initial 53-man roster. Of course, there’s an emphasis on initial, because the roster is almost certainly going to change several times over before opening night against the New England Patriots.

Seattle is typically a team that waits until cutdown day itself (which, this year, is Sunday) before all of the cuts get reported, so I think there’s enough time to squeeze out a last roster projection. With Terrion Arnold signed and Derrick Graham waived in a corresponding move, that bit of news will be reflected in my projections.

Offense (25)

Quarterback (3): Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen Milroe

Cut: N/A

Notes: I think Friday night put to bed any notion that Milroe wouldn’t make the team. There was some legitimate nonzero concern after the Tennessee Titans outing, but he bounced back in a big way.

Running Back (3): Jadarian Price (R), Emanuel Wilson, George Holani

Cut: Jacardia Wright, Velus Jones Jr

PUP: Zach Charbonnet

Notes: If Emanuel Wilson’s hamstring is still an issue, then I think Wright ends up on the roster as a fourth back. He was in warm-ups and in pads on Friday so I guess he’s fine. Otherwise, keep three, have a couple of people on the practice squad for a few weeks, and Zach Charbonnet should be back in October.

Fullback (1): Brady Russell

Cut: Brock Lampe

Already on IR: Robbie Ouzts

Notes: Lampe showed some good stuff on film but he might be a practice squad player for the time being.

Wide Receiver (5): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton, Montorie Foster

Cut: Emmanuel Henderson Jr (R), Cody White, Ricky White III, Irv Charles, Rashad Rochelle (R)

Already on IR: Jake Bobo

Notes: Foster may not be on the regular season roster the whole year. I think that WR5 could almost be rotational given Cody White and Emmanuel Henderson Jr are viable candidates. Cody White always clears waivers, so White will probably get waived and be an immediate practice squad signing. Henderson is another PS signing, I believe. You can make a case for any of them, at this point.

Irv Charles played no preseason snaps and his special teams value needs to be Matthew Slater level to make up for zero offensive productivity in his career. Horton’s injury is supposedly not long-term so I consider him good for Week 1.

Tight End (4): A.J. Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Eric Saubert, Nick Kallerup

Cut: Nick Vannett

Notes: Same grouping as last year. Vannett can be a practice squad veteran option.

Offensive Line (9): Charles Cross, Abe Lucas, Josh Jones, Anthony Bradford, Olu Oluwatimi, Jalen Sundell, Grey Zabel, Christian Haynes, Beau Stephens (R)

Cut: Federico Maranges, Bobby Hart, Amari Kight, Logan Brown, Bryce Cabeldue, Derrick Graham (already waived),

Already on IR: Mason Richman

Notes: If Haynes is let go then Cabeldue takes his spot. I think the Seahawks’ last guard spot is down to Haynes and Cabeldue and Haynes has had his best camp and preseason to date. Cabeldue could be a practice squad stash.

Defense (25)

Defensive Line (6): Byron Murphy II, Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Rylie Mills, Mike Morris, Brandon Pili

Cut: J.R. Singleton, Bubba Thomas, Uso Seumalo (R), Deven Eastern (R), Aidan Hubbard (R)

Notes: Mike Morris sitting out the Chiefs game means that, unless he’s a trade candidate, he’s probably safe for the roster. Pili might be borderline depending on their want of a nose tackle on the 53, but that’s about it. Seumalo and Eastern generally underwhelmed in preseason, whereas Singleton I anticipate will be back on the PS.

Outside Linebacker (4): Derick Hall, Uchenna Nwosu, Dante Fowler Jr, DeMarcus Lawrence

Cut: Jared Ivey, Connor O’Toole, Marvin Jones Jr (R), Jamie Sheriff, Jalan Gaines

Notes: Ivey had his best game of preseason versus Kansas City, including early on when the Chiefs had starters in for a hot minute. I think it’s probably a little too late. O’Toole might sneak in for special teams value and maybe that comes at the cost of letting go of someone at another position. Sheriff and Gaines and Ivey all figure to be PS candidates.

Inside Linebacker (4): Ernest Jones IV, Drake Thomas, Tyrice Knight, Patrick O’Connell

Cut: Aaron Smith, Power Echols

IR: Chazz Surratt (designated for return), Chris Paul Jr (out for season)

Notes: My IR line with Surratt is based off of Gregg Bell’s observations that Surratt was not suited up for play; not even a helmet on. His own projection had Surratt on IR-designated for return. We’ll roll with four inside backers at the moment.

Cornerback (6): Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett, Julian Neal (R), Noah Igbinoghene, Andre Fuller (R)

Cut: Jordan Washington (R), Michael Dansby (R), Trevon Diggs

Exempt list: Terrion Arnold

Notes: Arnold is signed but he won’t be on the 53-man roster any time soon. I think either Fuller or Dansby will find a way onto the 53, and I lean toward Fuller slightly. One of Igbinoghene or Diggs will be released and then signed to the practice squad or brought back later. My argument in favor of “cutting” Diggs is that, unlike Igbinoghene, he’s not had a proper training camp and barely played any NFL football over the past year. Igbinoghene could play a normal snap count in Week 1. Diggs might be someone who gets practice squad elevations and then permanently signed later in the season, but he’s definitely on this team to contribute throughout the season.

Safety (5): Julian Love, Ty Okada, Nick Emmanwori, A.J. Finley, D’Anthony Bell

Cut: Maxen Hook, Rodney Thomas II, Tysheem Johnson

Already on IR: Bud Clark

Notes: I’m not sure Emmanwori is Week 1 ready, which means D’Anthony Bell could at least be signed for Week 1. Thomas spending as much time as he did with the third-team in the first preseason game and at times with the threes in camp has me wondering what’s going on there. If you swapped Bell for Thomas I don’t really think there’s much argument from me.

Special Teams (3)

Kicker (1): Jason Myers

Punter (1): Michael Dickson

Long Snapper (1): Chris Stoll

Cut: No one

Notes: They’re not cutting Jason Myers despite a horrific preseason.

As a reminder, do not overestimate how many waiver claims are actually made during roster cuts weekend. It’s usually in the 2-3% percent range across the whole league, so if one of your preseason favorites is let go then he’s probably going to clear waivers. My only complication this year is how much the Minnesota Vikings under former Seahawks assistant GM, Nolan Teasley, might have an eye on Seattle’s cuts.

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