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Seahawks: 5 players who won’t be on the roster by Week 1

By Russell S. Baxter

LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 20: Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks breaks a tackle attempt by Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Football Team at FedExField on December 20, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 20: Rashaad Penny #20 of the Seattle Seahawks breaks a tackle attempt by Kamren Curl #31 of the Washington Football Team at FedExField on December 20, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 20: Defensive end Aldon Smith #58 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a fumble recovery against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 20: Defensive end Aldon Smith #58 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a fumble recovery against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

2. Aldon Smith may be squeezed out

It was one of the comeback stories of the early stages of last season. After not playing football for four years due to a variety of off-the-field issues, Aldon Smith was back in the NFL with the Cowboys. A year ago, he totaled five sacks in his first eight games but had zero in his final seven outings.

The Seahawks have gone to great lengths to bolster their pass rush. From dealing for veteran Carlos Dunlap to adding defensive end Kerry Hyder and Smith this year. But can the latter – who started 16 games and finished with 48 stops and two fumble recoveries, including one for a touchdown – pick up where he began with Dallas. Was his late-season play a preview of things to come?

More fansided.com: NFL Power Rankings: 2021 edition: Buccaneers dethrone the Chiefs

1. Rashaad Penny looks like a first round bust

Running the ball consistently had been a strength of the Seattle Seahawks for quite the stretch. A solid offensive line and the aggressive style of Marshawn Lynch saw the club finish third, fourth, first and third, respectively, in the league in rushing offense from 2012-15.

But the ground attack has not been the same the past five seasons and it’s safe to say quarterback Russell Wilson has had to take on a bigger role – be it by design or necessity. In 2018, the club invested a first-round pick on San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny.

There have been occasional flashes but he’s played in only 28 total games (including playoffs) in three seasons. NBC Sports Northwest’s Joe Fann has the latest.

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