There are still outstanding contract issues that affect the offensive line and the secondary. With nearly 2 weeks before regular season play it is likely both will be addressed in plenty of time to have no impact on the regular season.

QB -

QB Geno Smith is likely still the backup. But every season it is the same thing. If QB Russell Wilson goes down, the backup does not matter. The season is over. More important is the starting offensive line. LT Duane Brown must be signed. Not enough of the new offense was run in the fake games to give an indication of who will start on the line so I am sticking with what I expect; Brown, LG Damien Lewis, C Ethan Pocic, RG Gabe Jackson, and RT Brandon Shell. They should be middle of the pack in the NFL, but scheme matters and the first game should give a better idea.

RB -

Who to handcuff to RB Chris Carson? Honestly, Seattle is stuck with RB Rashaad Penny. But RB Alex Collins has played well enough in the preseason to get some attention and could be traded somewhere he could start. That is a big if, but it would also pop his fantasy value up dramatically. I think he is worth a late fantasy round flyer for that. If Collins stays, he still is better than Penny.

WR -

The only problem ever in getting WR DK Metcalf or WR Tyler Lockett is whether or not the other is going to take over the game. They are great for football fans, but tough on fantasy coaches. #3 is WR D Eskridge unless WR Freddie Swain or WR Penny Hart can show something. Just let Eskridge run around behind the line and cause confusion even. That worked last week.

TE -

The best bet is the TE Gerald Everett will have the best fantasy stats of this group out of the gate. But I think TE Will Dissly will catch up as they go. Someone will likely grab Everett too early in your fantasy draft, grab Dissly late.

K-

PK Jason Myers looks pretty solid. I think he stays around 10th or 12th in the league for now. A lot rides on the offense for him too.

D -

This defense is shaping up. I am still concerned about one corner position, but I was for the LOB too. I completely expect to hurt myself watching the game trying to will DE Carlos Dunlap off his blocker(s) and into the backfield. And I bet it happens often. He may be the IDP pick so often that I forget about LB Bobby Wagner. Wagner will get his tackles, but his game is to save the day. Dunlap's is to ruin everyone else's.

I will miss seeing LB KJ Wright on the field, but LB Darrell Taylor looks like a hitter. And LB Cody Barton made life better for himself in the preseason. One of them will be joining Wagner and LB Jordyn Brooks in a pretty nice linebacker group.

Assuming all goes well with FS Quandre Diggs' contract and he joins SS Jamal Adams we are looking at a very strong safety duo. Remember that Adams had no camp last year and still made plays everywhere. This year he will be part of the plan and will look like it.

I am just not a big CB Tre Flowers guy. I think CB DJ Reed is a solid starter. CB Ahkello Witherspoon may play better in the real games, but I am not sold on him yet. CB Marquise Blair keeps catching my eye. And CB Damarius Randall is in the running along with the obvious rookie CB Tre Brown. So there is potential here for good things too.

The team D should be better than most think and I would draft them in the early teens as the defenses are going off the board.

Go 'Hawks!

End.