On Tuesday, all NFL teams reduced their rosters from 90 players to 53. However, this is just the beginning of the roster finalization process. With the other teams’ cuts, there are additions made on waivers, the addition of released players, and the formation of the practice squad.
Obviously, the rosters are closer to their final version. However, there may (and should) still be some changes in the first few weeks, with some teams preferring to cut veterans and bring them back after Week 1 to save
some money.
The Seahawks added two players to their 53-man roster: LB Chazz Surratt, who was cut by the San Francisco 49ers, and Derion Kendrick, the Los Angeles Rams cornerback who came off waivers and reportedly made a very promising addition: former Rams linebacker Chris Paul.
Derion Kendrick, CB
This move was my least favorite. Derion Kendrick was an extremely promising cornerback at Clemson. However, before his senior year, he was expelled after being accused of illegally possessing a firearm and marijuana, which violated team standards and rules. Georgia gave him a chance, and he achieved a 1.53 RAS and was drafted in the sixth round by the Rams.
On October 16, 2023, Kendrick was arrested in Hollywood, California, for illegally possessing a firearm. Police also found marijuana in Kendrick’s vehicle. In 2023, he played 17 games for the Rams, starting 12, recording 623 yards, 4 touchdowns, 11 penalties, 7 PBUs, 1 interception (against Drew Lock), and 49 tackles. He had been out of action for over a year after tearing his ACL in July of last year, even before the preseason.
He was a running back his freshman year at Clemson, which allows him to quickly recognize offensive concepts and cut off passing lanes. In the play above, he reacts to the cut and gets between the receiver and the ball to deflect it.
He’s frequently beaten on vertical routes coming off the line of scrimmage. This results in significant gains since he lacks the top speed to recover, or in penalties.
This is a summary of Kendrick. His aggressiveness results in numerous penalties (11) and he was constantly targeted at crucial moments in games. In the tweet above, the Commanders essentially scored 14 points on him. He gave up 153 yards, 2 TDs, and two penalties. In seven games, he gave up 48 or more yards.
Against the Seahawks he gave up a TD against DK Metcalf and had his only INT against Drew Lock. (NOTE: Amazing get off from JSN here).
He also had 15 kickoff returns for 300 yards at Clemson. And during the preseason had snaps as slot and outside CB.
To make room for Kendrick, the Seahawks cut Shaquill Griffin, who didn’t impress in practice or in the preseason, but has a healthier track record and fewer off-field issues. I’m not saying Griffin was excelling, but he seemed like a safer choice than Kendrick.
It’s worth noting that John Schneider said he intends to keep him around, so he could be back at 53 or even on the practice squad after Week 1.
Chazz Surratt, LB
I remember Surratt well from his 2021 draft year. His story was quite interesting, having started his career as a QB in North Carolina and making the unconventional transition to linebacker. In two years, he accumulated over 200 tackles and 12 sacks.
He was drafted in the third round by the Vikings, playing only on special teams, but the following preseason, he was cut. He was placed on the Jets’ practice squad, where he played 137 defensive snaps last year and continued to contribute significantly on special teams.
He signed with the 49ers this offseason and had some prominence in the preseason. He received good grades, especially in run defense and tackling, with 6 and 9 tackles in Weeks 2 and 3, respectively.
He doesn’t have a large repertoire as a pass rusher. However, his speed and explosiveness make him a weapon in well-designed stunts, such as the play above. I believe the DT should be the looper on the play, but Surratt finds the opportunity to go after the QB.
Good eyes, identifying the RB’s cutback and falling back to tackle.
Good drop in coverage, identifying the route behind his back while keeping his eyes on the QB. His background as a QB helps a lot in this.
Another snap in coverage with him identifying the route developing behind his back. He doesn’t actually deflect the pass, but his positioning makes the pass nearly impossible.
I think his time as a QB makes him try to compensate with aggression, whether in the run game or through the air. Here, he takes the QB’s bait and opens up a passing lane.
He wastes no time in understanding what’s happening in the backfield. He even escapes the WR’s crack block and maintains his pursuit angle.
Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul Jr., LB
He began his career at Arkansas and transferred to Ole Miss as a senior. He was one of the standouts on the talented Rebels defense, which featured Walter Nolen, Jared Ivey, JJ Pegues, Trey Amos, and Princely Umanmielen. He was the LB in this draft with the highest run-stop rate and lowest missed tackle rate.
The combine significantly downgraded him in the draft. A small LB with arms under 30′, this kept his name on the board until the fifth round when he was selected by the Rams. His cut caused dissatisfaction among Rams fans. His future is promising, and I hope he finds a place in the 53 soon.
He is a very instinctive LB. Like Tyrice Knight, he will need to adjust to the NFL, as he can be out of position when his instincts fail.
Good speed attacking the gap, getting around the OL, and making the tackle.
He can make the tackle even when the OL tries to block him.
Paul keeps his eyes on the LB and easily escapes the OL and avoids the block, an important skill for Mike Macdonald’s scheme.
Not only with speed, as in the snap above, here he shows his strength (even with short arms). He has great technique, lifting the OL from below, breaking free of the block, and making the tackle.
Double blocks occur, and one of the OLs advances to block Paul at the second level. This would create two gaps. Paul forces the RB to cut outside, controls the OL (again minimizing his short arms), and makes the tackle.
He appears to be man to man in the RB. He quickly identifies the screen and takes a good angle to make the tackle.
The Browns call an RB Draw, and Paul is 1v1 against the Cleveland runner. He’s patient, calm, and doesn’t give the RB a chance to find space by making an immediate tackle.
It should be noted that Paul’s practice squad roster transaction is not yet official, but could be as soon as Thursday if the reports are true.
