Seattle Seahawks trail only Rams and Eagles in ESPN's 2026 roster rankings

Seattle Seahawks trail only Rams and Eagles in ESPN’s 2026 roster rankings originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Seattle remains among the NFL’s top title contenders entering the 2026 season. ESPN believes the defending champions still have one of the deepest rosters in football.

Why ESPN ranked the Seattle Seahawks No. 3 entering the 2026 NFL season

ESPN placed the Seattle Seahawks third in its 2026 NFL roster rankings because of their strong defensive front and depth across the lineup. The report says few teams can match Seattle’s talent in the trenches, especially on the interior defensive line.

Leonard Williams remains the leader of that group after recording 18 sacks over the past two seasons. Byron Murphy II also took a big step forward in 2025 and finished among the NFL’s top interior pass rushers with seven sacks. Veteran Jarran Reed gives the unit another proven option in the rotation.

The defense helped Seattle allow only 17.2 points per game last season, the fewest in the league. The Seahawks also finished third in run stop win rate, showing they can control games at the line of scrimmage. Those numbers played a major part in ESPN’s ranking.

Running back is the biggest question entering the new season. Kenneth Walker III left for the Kansas City Chiefs after his Super Bowl MVP season, while Zach Charbonnet is working back from a torn ACL. First-round rookie Jadarian Price could earn a large role, but he enters the NFL with limited experience as a receiver.

ESPN also identified wide receiver Rashid Shaheed as a player who could change Seattle’s offense. His production dropped after joining the Seahawks during the 2025 season, though a full offseason with the team could help him become a reliable second target behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Backup edge rusher Derick Hall is another player worth watching. Hall played an important role in the defensive rotation last season and finished with two sacks and a forced fumble during the Super Bowl. Seattle rewarded him with a three-year, $42 million extension, showing the team’s confidence in his future.

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