​We are deep into theory crafting season as the preseason nears, and everyone is busy forecasting rosters and predicting where teams will land before the games begin. ESPN recently released roster rankings for all 32 teams, along with projections for each team’s starting lineup. The rankings were a collaborative effort from Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz, and Seth Walder. Clay handled the starting lineups and evaluated each team’s strengths and weaknesses. Schatz highlighted players who aren’t starters but could become pivotal contributors during the season. Walder identified the X-Factor for every squad. Let’s take a look at how the Seattle Seahawks fared.
In ESPN’s rankings, the Seahawks sit third, just behind the Philadelphia Eagles in second and the Los Angeles Rams at first. The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens round out the top five. The projected starters for Seattle reflect a high degree of continuity, with 21 of the 22 starters from the previous season poised to return. Of the 24 listed positions, only a few notable shifts stand out: Zach Charbonnet is projected to start at running back in place of Kenneth Walker, Nick Emmanwori is slotted into the third cornerback role previously held by Riq Woolen (emphasizing that Emmanwori is not officially listed as a corner, but this is a shorthand way to convey his starter status), and Ty Okada is forecast to start opposite Julian Love, a role that belonged to Coby Bryant last year.
Clay identifies the Seahawks’ top strength as the interior defensive line. He cites the unit’s exceptional performance from last season, noting that Seattle allowed a league-low 17.2 points per game and finished third in the league in run-stop win rate at 32.5%. With veterans such as Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, and Jarran Reed returning, the interior line should continue to be a physical battle for opponents. Rylie Mills, who recorded a sack in the Super Bowl that helped push Jared Wilson into Drake Maye’s path, is also expected to contribute meaningfully to the interior rotation this season.
On the downside, Clay highlights the running back position as Seattle’s biggest weakness. The departure of Walker to the Chiefs, coupled with Charbonnet’s injury and an expected return further into the season, creates a notable depth question at the position. Although Price is mentioned as a potential breakout candidate, he is still relatively unproven as a receiver and has limited experience in the passing game, which remains a concern. George Holani, Kenny McIntosh, and Emanuel Wilson will also compete for snaps, making the preseason an important proving ground to determine how the RB room will shape up.
Walder’s X-Factor for the Seahawks is Rashid Shaheed, a name that resonates with many Seattle fans. Shaheed’s impact as a return specialist could be a game-changer, given his proven ability to spark special teams and swing field position. He produced two regular-season kickoff returns for touchdowns and added a postseason return score, underscoring his potential to shift momentum in tight games. Walder, however, notes that Shaheed’s receiving production last season left room for improvement. He averaged 1.8 yards per route run with the Saints in the first half of 2025, dipping to 1.1 yards per route run with Seattle when postseason plays are included. This dichotomy—elite return ability paired with modest receiving output—helps explain why Shaheed is considered the Seahawks’ X-Factor: the special teams game could carry Seattle, but the passing game needs to unlock more consistency for a truly explosive offense.
For Seattle, the path forward includes leveraging the strength up front on defense while addressing the backfield depth with a careful eye on the preseason competition. The Seahawks’ blend of continuity, a formidable interior line, and a potentially explosive special-teams dynamic gives them a strong perch in the NFC, though the offense will need to show growth through the air and at running back to maximize their ceiling. As the preseason unfolds, fans will be watching how Charbonnet cements his starter role, how the RB room rotates to fill the gap left by Walker, and how Shaheed’s dual threat—especially his value on kick returns—translates into more favorable field positions and, ultimately, more wins.