Undrafted rookies making bids for roster spots with Seahawks
Aug 17, 2016, 10:03 AM
One of Seattle's 13 initial rookie free agents, Trevove Boykin is vying to be the team's backup quarterback. (AP)
(AP)
After the draft, general manager John Schneider said the Seahawks had draftable grades on the first 13 rookie free agents they signed.
Seattle’s preseason opener in Kansas City illustrated that. Quarterback Trevone Boykin executed a game-winning touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Tanner McEvoy caught that touchdown pass and, though a long-shot to make the team, he could be a tall receiver option to consider. Defensive tackle Brandin Bryant is making a bid for one of the final roster spots as is safety Tyvis Powell.
Despite some pass-blocking struggles in the second half against Kansas City, tackle George Fant has been one of the surprises of training camp. Cornerback DeAndre Elliott has drawn praise from veterans in the secondary. Linebacker Steve Longa is hoping to make an impact on special teams.
These are some names to watch in the Seahawks’ second preseason game Thursday against Minnesota.
Seven of Seattle’s 13 initial undrafted free agents are still with the team. Four of them were waived with injuries and two others were cut outright. A few late additions are worth mentioning: Nolan Frese is the only snapper on the roster. Running back Troymaine Pope, fullback Jonathan Amosa and wide receiver Montario Hunter have drawn some attention.
Obviously, roster space isn’t available for most of these players. The Seahawks’ roster, like Arizona’s, is loaded. You figure the Seahawks might have 12 to 15 new players this year. You figure eight to 10 draft choice will make the team.
But these undrafted players will be in the discussions as the front office starts to trim the roster to 53. Though there has been no official statement from Schneider or coach Pete Carroll, the Seahawks clearly wanted to get younger and faster. Carroll told the team last week that it’s faster than the 2013 Seahawks, based on data from computer chips placed on uniforms.
With all the starters being signed through at least the 2017 season, Schneider and Carroll are reloading for the short-term and the long-term. Smart move. From this camp, it looks as though the Seahawks should be able to put together a strong practice squad.
Injuries happen and cap room can get tight if too many players go on the Injured Reserve list. Rookies on IR count $333,000 against the cap. A rookie replacement costs $450,000. Those economic realities force teams to budget $5 million to $6 million of cap room in case of injuries. The Seahawks already have seven players on IR.
The replacement market for veteran street free agents is thin, particularly with the recent rash of players retiring at younger ages. It forces teams to reach to the developmental squad for replacements.
These next two games will be interesting to watch because you can see the minds of the coaches and front office churning. Tom Cable is juggling his young offensive line trying to determine the starting tackles and to see which young linemen is versatile enough to play multiple positions. For example, if third-round pick Rees Odhiambo doesn’t win a starting job at tackle, he could save a spot on the 46-man game-day active roster for another position if he can back up three spots.
Special teams will also be a key in seeing if some of the undrafted players can fit in.
Preseason games may lose interest in the third and fourth quarters, but this young group of Seahawks should be watched closely in the second halves of the next two games.
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