Rawls, Graham return in Seahawks post-offseason 53-man roster projection

Photo: GRANT HINDSLEY, SEATTLEPI.COM Center Justin Britt and tackle Terry Poole will battle for spots on...

Jimmy Graham's exclusion was the biggest takeaway from my first 2016 Seahawks roster projection last month. But both Graham and running back Thomas Rawls return for version 2.0.

There isn't a strong reason why, other than the team's insistence that both remain on track for the start of the regular season. That might be wishful thinking as much as anything at this point, but since it's the only information we have to go on for now, we'll go with it.

"I absolutely think that," head coach Pete Carroll said last week when asked if he expected Rawls and Graham to be ready for the start of the regular season. "They would have to incur some issues that we can't foresee right now for that not to happen."

Related: 6 Takeaways from Seahawks offseason

Aside from the question marks surrounding Rawls and Graham, there will be some intriguing position battles to watch throughout training camp and the preseason, including an unprecedented battle at the strongside (SAM) linebacker spot.

A couple of notes: Player positions can be a bit hard to nail down, so for clarity's sake we're going with the positions listed on the Seahawks' official offseason roster -- with one exception. Here's a handy key for the gallery below:

Bold = played in more than 50 percent of offensive or defensive snaps in 2015

= played in more than 50 percent of offensive or defensive snaps in 2015 Italics = new to the Seahawks roster in 2016

Asterisk* = Rookie

strikethrough = subtraction from last projection

= subtraction from last projection += addition from last projection

QUARTERBACK (2)



Russell Wilson (above)

Trevone Boykin*



Notes: As of now, there's no indication the team will reach out to veteran backup Tarvaris Jackson, but that could change at any time leading up to (and even after the start of) training camp. At the moment, undrafted rookie Boykin is slotted in as the backup behind Wilson. His performance throughout camp and the preseason will largely determine if the Seahawks feel comfortable moving forward with him as the primary -- and potentially only -- reserve. less QUARTERBACK (2)



Russell Wilson (above)

Trevone Boykin*



Notes: As of now, there's no indication the team will reach out to veteran backup Tarvaris Jackson, but that could change at any time leading up to (and ... more Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: GENNA MARTIN, SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Rawls, Graham return in Seahawks post-offseason 53-man roster projection 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

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