Last 4 In, First 4 Out: Which Seahawks Defensive 'Bubble' Players Will Make 53-Man Roster?
After wrapping up their final practice in a training camp unlike any other on Thursday, the Seahawks have now shifted their focus towards the upcoming season opener against the Falcons.
As a key part of that process, Seattle faces the daunting task of finalizing its 53-man roster before Saturday's 1 PM PST deadline. Deciding which players to keep doesn't always come down to pure talent, as position depth, age, contract, and other factors are also considered by the front office and coaching staff. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a new wrench into the process, eliminating preseason games normally used to evaluate players on other rosters.
Once the dust settles, 27 players who participated in practices and meetings over the past month will be sent home with a pink slip and forced to seek employment elsewhere. One of the harsh realities is that many of these players may never be on an NFL team again, while others will land on practice squads.
Paying homage to "March Madness" in a deep dive into the process of selecting the final 53 players who will be on the Seahawks roster in Week 1, here are my last four defensive players to make the team as well as the final four players landing on the wrong side of the roster bubble on Saturday.
LAST FOUR IN: DEFENSE
P.J. Johnson
Signed midway through camp, Johnson has performed well on the practice field, using his 335-pound frame to close off running lanes and chew up blocks at the point of attack. But he's been more than just a space eater, exhibiting a bit of pass rushing ability in 1-on-1 and team drills, which shouldn't be a surprise considering he had 3.0 sacks in his lone season at Arizona. Now that the coaching staff has had enough time to evaluate him, he seems like the best fit for the final defensive tackle spot on the depth chart given his ability to play nose tackle and athleticism to occasionally collapse the pocket.
Ben Burr-Kirven
On most teams, Burr-Kirven wouldn't be fighting for a roster spot, especially considering how well he has performed both as a run defender and in coverage during training camp. But the Seahawks have arguably the most talented linebacker group in the entire NFL and after drafting Jordyn Brooks in the first round and re-signing Bruce Irvin, he's definitely on the hot seat from a numbers game perspective. However, the former Washington star could still find his way onto the field defensively in the future and he's a quality special teams player, so it seems likely the team will choose to retain him for another season.
Neiko Thorpe
One of the most revered players in Seattle's locker room, Thorpe bounced back from an injury-shortened 2019 season and had a stellar training camp both on defense and special teams. Now 30 years old, the Seahawks could always opt to go a younger route, particularly if there's a cornerback who offers more value defensively in a reserve role. But the eighth year veteran remains one of the best gunners on punt coverage in the game and made enough plays in coverage over the past month to warrant remaining on the roster, at least for now.
Lano Hill
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Hill has shown his limitations on the field, as he struggled when asked to play single-high safety roles in 2019. Injuries have also been a persistent problem for the former third-round pick. But having started a handful of games during his time in Seattle, he's still a serviceable reserve behind Jamal Adams and has proven himself capable playing in the box while defending tight ends in coverage. As coach Pete Carroll has noted, he's also one of the Seahawks better special teams players, which should help him avoid the chopping block.
FIRST FOUR OUT: DEFENSE
Demarcus Christmas
Aside from missing a handful of practices with an undisclosed injury, Christmas was able to participate in most of Seattle's training camp after being sidelined his entire rookie season with a back issue. While the former sixth-round pick out of Florida State was on the field, however, he didn't necessarily stand out compared to his competition. Weighing around 300 pounds, he's a bit undersized to be playing nose tackle in the NFL and hasn't shown any development as an interior pass rusher.The Seahawks should try to bring him back on the practice squad, but Johnson has simply flashed more and earned a roster spot.
Damontre Moore
With the way Carroll complimented Moore on Thursday, it would seem highly unlikely the Seahawks would turn around and release him in quick order. If there's not a bigger move in the works, then he absolutely will be since Darrell Taylor will probably be on the Non-Football Injury List to open the season. But a certain big-name defensive end remains unsigned and something tells me general manager John Schneider will try to make one last run at him this weekend. If somehow the aforementioned player decides to return to Seattle, Moore would be the odd man out. For this particular projection, that's exactly how I see things playing out, with the veteran once again back on the market.
Ryan Neal
Entrenched in a competition against Thorpe, Neal has a number of factors working in his favor. He's only 24 years old and offers more versatility by being able to play outside cornerback as well as safety. Typically, if all other things are equal, the Seahawks will lean towards picking the younger player with more upside. But Thorpe is such a valuable asset on special teams and beloved in the locker room that this could be a rare case where they stick with the seasoned veteran. There's a chance both players could make the team, but Neal will likely be a top candidate to stash on the practice squad after showing some promise in camp.
Chris Miller
Undrafted rookies were dealt an awful hand due to OTAs and minicamps being axed by the pandemic. For a player such as Miller, a normal offseason may have given him a legitimate chance to make the Seahawks. As things currently stand, the former Baylor standout finished camp on a strong note, making several nice plays in coverage and drawing the roaring approval of Adams. But like many of his undrafted peers, the hard-hitting safety got off to a slow start with some botched coverage assignments and didn't have enough time to truly push for a roster spot. He's a strong candidate to be retained on the practice squad and could replace Hill in 2021.
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