Brock Huard, Jake Heaps answer Seahawks questions on roster cut day

Note: This post was published before the Seahawks announced their initial 53-man roster on Saturday afternoon. You can see the full roster and read about details in this post.

The Seahawks trim their roster to 53 on Saturday afternoon, but plenty of questions linger heading into the season. We asked some of our Seahawks experts at 710 ESPN Seattle about roster cutdown and beyond.

Heaps: Why the Hawks are still Jadeveon Clowney’s top choice

Here’s what Brock Huard and Jake Heaps have to say.

Brock Huard

Assuming Josh Gordon is reinstated, who could wind up being the odd man out at wide receiver?

David Moore. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are set and if/when Gordon is reinstated, Lockett can slide back inside to the slot where he is one of the best in the game. Moore is set to make a few million bucks and unfortunately has still been up and down with his consistency. He could have benefited, like Ursua, from preseason games.

It looks like Jadeveon Clowney could be heading to the Titans or Saints. Did the Seahawks make a mistake not bringing him back?

In my opinion, yes. Seattle decided to spend over $10 million on Bruce Irvin and Benson Mayowa, counting on Irvin’s ability to both rush and play SAM linebacker on early downs. They also hoped second-round pick Darrell Taylor could be a factor, and he won’t be. I’d have much rather seen Clowney return than the triumvirate of Irvin, Mayowa and Taylor, but time and production will ultimately fell the story.

How worried should we be about Darrell Taylor’s injury?

Not good, especially for a player over five years of college who lacked consistent production and reliability.

Jake Heaps

Is there anything you’d like to see more of with this offense in 2020?

I want to see the coaching staff maximize the full capabilities of the Seahawks’ offensive potential. This group has the legitimate potential of a top five offense. I am all for Pete Carroll and Brian Schottenheimer’s desire to remain balanced, but in their quest for a balanced offense it has been at the expense of limiting opportunities for Russell Wilson early in games. Wilson has progressed every single year of his career and 2020 will be no different. My challenge to Pete Carroll and the offensive coaching staff is to lean into your strength more than ever before, which in my opinion is the best quarterback in football, while not losing your identity.

Which notable veterans could be in danger of not making this roster?

Surprisingly there are not many veterans that could be in danger of not making the roster this season because experienced play and leadership comes at a premium in 2020 due to COVID-19 making practices and scrimmages limited. The name I am anxious to hear about over the weekend will be tight end Jacob Hollister. I believe he will and should remain on the roster, but he could provide John Schneider a unique trade piece to acquire talent for the defensive side of the ball and save the team $2 million in salary cap space.

I worry Jordyn Brooks is another first-round pick who won’t see a ton of playing time. How can the Seahawks get him more involved?

He will not be the starter but that does not mean he won’t play a lot this season. K.J, Wright is the unquestioned starter at the WILL linebacker position but I do not anticipate seeing K.J. playing 90-plus percent of the defensive snaps in 2020. I believe Ken Norton Jr. will establish a healthy rotation between Wright and Brooks which will give us plenty of opportunity to evaluate Brooks potential impact for the defense in 2020 and beyond.

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Moore: Seahawks thoughts, predictions, observations before cut day

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