RENTON, WASHINGTON - JUNE 11: Nehemiah Pritchett #28 of the Seattle Seahawks stretches during practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 11, 2026 in Renton, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesThe Seattle Seahawks begin their 2026 training camp this Saturday, as the Super Bowl champions look to be the first NFC team to win back-to-back titles since Jimmy Johnsons Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s. Yeah, its really been that long since there was an NFC dynasty.There are plenty of intriguing roster battles on both sides of the ball, but especially on defense, where the bulk of the Seahawks offseason changes occurred. Before camp officially begins, Im giving it another crack at projecting the initial 53-man roster. Offense (26)Quarterback (3): Sam Darnold, Drew Lock, Jalen MilroeCut: N/ANotes: Milroe might be competing not to get traded, otherwise it should be the same set-up as last year as long as Milroe doesnt have a disastrous camp and/or preseason.Running Back (3): Jadarian Price (R), Emanuel Wilson, George HolaniCut: Jacardia Wright, Kenny McIntoshPUP: Zach CharbonnetNotes: Charbonnet is confirmed to be on PUP, while McIntosh is starting camp on PUP. I anticipate the latter being available to practice soon. Jadarian Price, Emanuel Wilson, and George Holani will surely be the top three backs, and its up to a numbers game to see if Wright or McIntosh earns a fourth spot while Charbonnet is gone. Most likely, they stick with three and shift one of Wright or Kenny to the practice squad.Fullback (2): Robbie Ouzts, Brady RussellCut: N/ANotes: Seattle is definitely going to be using full backs, and I hope under Brian Fleury that Ouzts can be something other than a tell that the Seahawks are running the ball. Ouzts had some tight end skills in college, so use it to your advantage! Russell is a fullback/tight end hybrid but really hes there as a special teams beast.Wide Receiver (5): Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton, Jake BoboCut: Emmanuel Henderson Jr (R), Cody White, Ricky White III, Velus Jones Jr, Irv Charles, Rashad Rochelle,Montorie FosterNotes: Either Seattle keeps five receivers or six, in which case Im curious to see if Ricky White III can make good on his second season with the team. Seattle re-signing Shaheed and Bobo in the offseason essentially took away the drama as far as the wide receiver room.Tight End (3): A.J. Barner, Elijah Arroyo, Eric SaubertCut: Lance Mason(R), Nick KallerupNotes: I have a feeling Kallerup is on the bubble, or at least competing with the rookie Lance Mason. Seattle keeping Kallerup on the active roster all of last season is encouraging but doesnt mean his spot is now guaranteed for 2026. It may make sense to keep four TEs when the team runs so much 12 and 13 personnel, but Id sooner believe the Seahawks would just make use of Ouzts or Russell when they want to go heavier and stash Kallerup and/or Mason on the practice squad.Offensive Line (10): Charles Cross, Abe Lucas, Josh Jones, Mason Richman, Anthony Bradford, Olu Oluwatimi, Jalen Sundell, Grey Zabel, Bryce Cabeldue, Beau Stephens(R)Cut: Federico Maranges, Bobby Hart, Amari Kight, Logan Brown, Christian HaynesNotes: Brady Henderson has referenced and at least speculated Oluwatimi possibly being traded on an expiring contract. For now, I think he stays and Seattle will let him walk in free agency. Beau Stephens may eventually challenge or (in 2027) replace Bradford as right guard, but bare minimum I think its a wrap for Christian Haynes. I think Seattle may max out at keeping only nine linemen in the long run but the initial 53 could have 10.Defense (24)Defensive Line (5): Byron Murphy II, Leonard Williams, Jarran Reed, Rylie Mills, Mike MorrisCut: J.R. Singleton, Bubba Thomas, Brandon Pili, Uso Seumalo (R)PUP/Injury stash: Deven Eastern (R)Notes: Mills will be one to watch in training camp and preseason now that hell have a healthy offseason under his belt. Eastern missing much of OTAs and minicamp has me thinking hell just be given the NFL equivalent of a medical redshirt. Seattle lacks a traditional nose tacklethey pretty much have Jarran Reed as the nosebut Seattle may just stash Pili and/or Seumalo on the practice squad and elevate when needed. Ive had Mike Morris on the bubble for seemingly ever and hes still here, so I might as well back off until theres evidence he could be let go.Outside Linebacker (5): Derick Hall, Uchenna Nwosu, Dante Fowler Jr, DeMarcus Lawrence, Aidan Hubbard (R)Cut: Jared Ivey, Connor OToole, Marvin Jones Jr (R), Jamie Sheriff, Jalan GainesNotes: Ive not changed from the pre-OTAs projection. Hubbard is my lone UDFA to crack the roster. Ivey and OToole just miss out and at least one of the two gets put on the practice squad. The only reason I would counter myself to put Ivey over Hubbard is Iveys large frame as an edge could provide something of a unique look.Inside Linebacker (4): Ernest Jones IV, Drake Thomas, Tyrice Knight, Chris Paul JrCut: Chazz Surratt, Patrick OConnell, JaMarkis WestonNotes: Pooh Paul is still a great unknown in the Seahawks defense. This is just a pure hunch that could be quickly undone once we get to practices. Surratt was a cheap FA re-sign limited to special teams, but he might get the spot over Paul and others if it comes down to ST value. OConnell is a perennial ready squad guy so I dont worry about him.Cornerback (5): Devon Witherspoon, Josh Jobe, Nehemiah Pritchett, Julian Neal (R), Noah IgbinogheneCut: Shemar Jean-Charles, Brandon Johnson, Michael Dansby (R), Tyrone Broden, Andre Fuller (R)Notes: Witherspoon and Jobe are locks, Neal is pretty much a lock, so that leaves Pritchett, Fuller, Johnson, Igbinoghene, and Dansby as five guys competing for two spots. Ive thought about it some more and for now, I think Pritchett and Igbinoghene have the inside track and that leaves Fuller and Dansby in particular on the outside looking in. Safety (5): Julian Love, Ty Okada, Nick Emmanwori, Bud Clark (R), Rodney Thomas IICut: Maxen Hook, DAnthony Bell, A. J. FinleyNotes: I think the final spot comes down to Thomas or Bell. Seattle has familiarity with Bell dating back to last season, but Thomas has more experience as a defensive starter while maintaining a high special teams count. Special Teams (3)Kicker (1): Jason MyersPunter (1): Michael DicksonLong Snapper (1): Chris StollCut: No oneNotes: Theres nothing to discuss here. Its like having three free spaces on the giant Seahawks bingo board.There will be more regular roster projections once preseason begins, as by then well have a clearer picture of who has the inside track and whose bubbles are about to burst. Well also have a metric ton of signings and waivers during that time frame that will make previous projections obsolete, so it keeps things fresh and exciting.The only thing Im certain of is that it will be very difficult to predict the bottom end of the roster, which is a testament to the talent level the Seahawks currently possess.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user account and get:Fewer adsCreate community postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!