2018 Preseason: How Former Seahawks Are Faring

We’re two weeks into the 2018 NFL preseason, and a whole lot has changed with Seattle’s roster from the end of 2017. Love them or hate them, these former Seahawks are continuing their careers in new cities. Some, (like Jimmy Graham and Kasen Williams) are off to good starts. Others — namely Thomas Rawls and Richard Sherman — are finding themselves in rough spots to begin the season.

Here’s an update on some of those former Seahawks with their current teams through the first two weeks of the 2018 preseason.

Richard Sherman, CB- San Francisco 49ers:

Sherman, after signing a three-year deal with division rival San Francisco, has seen his 49er career get off to a rocky start. Richard’s attendance at training camp was delayed due to his recovery from last year’s Achilles tear. Now he is dealing with a hamstring issue.  Sherman has yet to play in a preseason game, but was caught getting “torched” by Marquise Goodwin in a July practice.

#49ersCamp 1-on-1s: Marquise Goodwin takes Richard Sherman deep. #49ers pic.twitter.com/H1gS4oZeAg

— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) July 29, 2018

Michael Bennett, DE- Philadelphia Eagles:

Following his trade from Seattle to the Eagles, Bennett promptly skipped most of Philly’s offseason training program before showing for mandatory minicamp.  By all accounts he has performed well in practice and seems to have a large role with Philadelphia.  He has seen snaps at both defensive end and tackle for the Eagles in their two preseason games, garnering two solo stops.

Paul Richardson, WR- Washington Redskins:

The Redskins’ marquee free agent acquisition in 2018, Washington signed Richardson away from the Seahawks with a five-year deal worth $40 million.  So far his role in the Nation’s capitol is a bit unclear. He is listed as one of three starting wide receivers on the Redskins’ depth chart but tends to come off the field when Washington rolls out their two-tight end package.  Paul played ten snaps with the starters in the second preseason game and finished with one reception for eight yards.

Marshawn Lynch, RB- Oakland Raiders:

Now in his second year with the Oakland Raiders, the 32-year old running back still has plenty of juice left in his legs.  He got the start for Oakland in their first preseason game and promptly ripped off a 60-yard touchdown run (called back due to penalty).  Lynch looked at least ten years younger as he outran multiple Lions’ defenders to the endzone.  Seeing enough of Marshawn on that one play, new Raiders’ Head Coach John Gruden has decided to rest Lynch until the third preseason game.

This run was called back…

But OKAY, @MoneyLynch. 😱 #DETvsOAK

📺: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/ugS2brJHvT

— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2018

Sheldon Richardson, DT-Minnesota Vikings:

Another big name signed away from the Seahawks this past offseason, Richardson joins Minnesota on a one-year deal worth $8 million.  The Vikings immediately plugged Sheldon into the starting lineup next to Linval Joseph at defensive tackle. The former first-round draft pick has totaled one tackle in two preseason games.

DeShawn Shead, CB- Detroit Lions:

Recovering from 2017 ACL surgery, the former Legion of Boom member signed with Detroit in the off-season to a one-year, $3.5 contract.  He seems to be fully recovered and is challenging for the Lions number-two cornerback job.  In Detroit’s first preseason game Shead saw extensive playing time and finished with six tackles. Since then he has struggled with consistency, especially against the Raiders’ Amari Cooper in joint practices (see video below).  DeShawn did not play in the Lions’ second preseason game.

Amari Cooper is looking absolutely disgusting #Raiders pic.twitter.com/0Hvv6RGXwr

— Raider Center (@RaiderAnalysis) August 8, 2018

Kasen Williams, WR- Indianapolis Colts:

A fan-favorite with the Seahawks during preseason last year, Williams is now earning rave-reviews from fans in Indianapolis. A final cut-down casualty in Seattle last year, Williams signed with the Colts after spending the majority of 2017 on the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad.  A long-shot to win a roster spot, Williams nonetheless had an impressive debut with Indy. Against his former team, Kasen had three receptions for 46 yards in their week one preseason win at Seattle.  He tallied the start in the Colts’ second preseason game against Baltimore, but failed to record a catch.

Thomas Rawls, RB- New York Jets:

Rawls, after a rough couple of years in Seattle, including a historically bad 2017 in the redzone, is looking to resurrect his career in the Big Apple.  Unfortunately, he is not off to a great start. He missed the Jets’ preseason opener due to an undisclosed injury and has struggled with ball security in camp. Then he managed just 12 yards on eight carries in last Thursday’s 15-13 preseason loss to the Washington Redskins. He did add two receptions on three targets for 10 more yards, but was still completely without the burst he had displayed in his 2015 rookie season with the Seahawks.

Jimmy Graham, TE- Green Bay Packers:

Probably the biggest name to depart Seattle this past offseason, Graham was given $30 million for three years by the Packers.  After posting 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Seahawks, Graham has picked up right where he left off, scoring a redzone TD in Green Bay’s second preseason game. Even though Graham and Aaron Rodgers have played a grand total of just one series together, they are generating a ton of buzz.

This might be a problem for defenses.

AARON RODGERS TO JIMMY GRAHAM. 🔥 #PITvsGB pic.twitter.com/qfG00BJfdC

— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2018

Luke Willson, TE- Detroit Lions:

Following a five year career as a Seattle Seahawk, Willson joins Detroit on a one-year, $2.5 million deal. He appears set to be the Lions’ starting tight end. Luke has one reception for three yards in their two preseason games.

David Rogers covers the Seahawks for Full Press Coverage.  Want to add some names to this list? @ him on Twitter.