Which Seattle Seahawks are trending up or down after the end of the preseason?

WR Cody White

Cody White’s only highlight of the night didn’t even count, but it was a big one. White had a 73-yard touchdown reception that was negated by a holding penalty on guard Christian Haynes early in the second quarter, showing excellent use of his hands to create just the right amount of separation from the Browns cornerback to catch a perfect pass from quarterback Sam Howell.

White had just one reception for 11 yards the rest of the game, but his overturned play was too impressive to not make this list. The competition for Seattle’s sixth wide receiver spot continues to heat up in lieu of Tuesday’s final cuts. Whether or not he makes Seattle’s 53-man roster, White will have a job this season.

EDGE Jamie Sheriff

Since undrafted rookie Jamie Sheriff emerged as a late addition to the Seahawks’ 90-man roster in early August, he’s done nothing but increase his stock. Sheriff had four tackles, two sacks and four quarterback hits on the night, cementing him in the conversation for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Seattle sent fifth-year linebacker Darrell Taylor to the Chicago Bears on Friday, leaving the Seahawks with just four reserves on the roster at outside linebacker. Sheriff could be the fifth addition there, or Seattle could risk cutting him and try to bring him back to the practice squad. Either way, Sheriff should stay with the team in some capacity. He’s shown too much potential.

WR/KR Dee Eskridge

While Dee Eskridge’s fate seemed sealed previously, he reopened conversation about a potential roster spot on Saturday. Eskridge scored on a 79-yard punt return during the second quarter and finished the game with three receptions for 19 yards on offense.

The much-maligned former second-round pick has barely produced in his first three seasons in Seattle, and his only preseason production before Saturday was a 22-yard jet sweep in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Now, Eskridge has at least given Macdonald and his staff something to think about in a room full of wide receivers.

S. Coby Bryant

Coby Bryant finished with four total tackles, but there were multiple poor plays in coverage by the third-year cornerback turned safety that hurt the Seahawks on defense.

The low point was Bryant dropping into shallow coverage as a deep safety early in the second quarter, allowing Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to connect with Jamari Thrash for a 46-yard touchdown. Bryant left rookie cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett alone against Thrash with no help up top.

Bryant has been performing well in the preseason so far, so it’s unlikely that one bad night will be enough to cost him his roster spot. But the competition between him and undrafted rookie Ty Okada (four tackles) may be closer than many think heading into the final cuts.

TE AJ Barner

Fourth-round rookie AJ ​​Barner hasn’t necessarily had a bad preseason performance, but he hasn’t shown much to get excited about. He’s flashed his ability to block at the line of scrimmage, but he dropped his only pass against the Browns and has just one reception for 17 yards in the preseason.

Barner isn’t in danger of being released as a mid-round pick, but he’s unlikely to have a significant role for Seattle in the regular season unless injuries pile up throughout the campaign. Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb may have a different opinion, of course, but he seems like a player who will take some time to develop.

S Marchioness Blair

It was easy to root for Marquise Blair after he was originally drafted in the second round by the Seahawks in 2019. However, it doesn’t appear he’s put in enough film in the preseason to make Seattle’s starting roster or practice squad.

Blair played nearly the entire second half and finished with three tackles, but two came near the end of the game. He simply hasn’t made his presence felt after being a rising defender in Seattle’s secondary before suffering a devastating knee injury during the 2020 season. Blair is here less for making glaring mistakes and more for not making enough of an impact to enter the competition for the safety position.