Graham's absence marks first 2016 Seahawks roster projection

Photo: Elaine Thompson, Associated Press Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham is the most notable player not on...

The Seattle Seahawks' 2016 roster will boast some stark differences from the 2015 squad, particularly on offense.

Marshawn Lynch is seemingly enjoying retirement, and will be replaced by a stable of young backs led by second-year player Thomas Rawls and third-round pick C.J. Prosise. The offensive line will likely feature new starters at four of five spots at minimum, and the returning starter -- center Patrick Lewis -- began the 2015 season as a reserve.

And tight end Jimmy Graham -- well, there's no guarantee he's ready for the start of the season after suffering a patellar tendon injury last year.

Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider have repeatedly said that Graham's recovery is on track and that they hope he will be ready by the start of the regular season, but I'm skeptical.

I think it more likely that Graham starts the season on the team's physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which would knock him out of the first six games of the regular season. He would then be eligible to return.

With that in mind, here is my initial "way too early" 2016 Seahawks 53-man roster projection, which I guarantee is at least 50 25 percent correct. Have at it!

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. And 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

QUARTERBACK (2)



Russell Wilson

Trevone Boykin*



Notes: If the team brings back veteran backup Tarvaris Jackson on his fourth straight one-year deal, I can see them going with him on the active roster and trying to sneak Boykin (above) through waivers and onto the practice squad for the 2016 season. Until he joins the team, however, the rookie out of TCU is my pick to be Wilson's primary backup. less QUARTERBACK (2)



Russell Wilson

Trevone Boykin*



Notes: If the team brings back veteran backup Tarvaris Jackson on his fourth straight one-year deal, I can see them going with him on the active roster and trying ... more Photo: AP Photo: AP Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close Graham's absence marks first 2016 Seahawks roster projection 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

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