With the NFL roster cut deadline only days away, teams are forced to decide exactly which of their 75 men they would like to keep on their 53-man roster.

The Seahawks are no different, and have a lot of roster spots that, as the Seattle Times said playing off the political time of year, are “too close to call.”

From watching all the preseason games (being at both home games), closely monitoring daily practice updates and attending the annual public scrimmage, here is my list of who makes the team and why:

The names are ranked as a depth chart is, with the highest one taking the top spot.

Quarterbacks
Matt Hasselbeck
Seneca Wallace
Charlie Frye

Charlie Frye is the definite number three, even though he had a shaky preseason and missed the last game with an injury. Wallace looked spectacular at quarterback, but expect him to double-up as a wide receiver in the early part of the season.

Running Backs/Full Backs
Julius Jones
Leonard Weaver
Maurice Morris
T.J. Duckett
Owen Schmitt
Justin Forsett

Unfortunately, the best option here is to carry six backs. Weaver can play the third tight end position if needs be (it was what he played in college), and Schmitt/Duckett could back up fullback. There isn’t a superstar in this group, but there is a lot of depth. The ‘Hawks cannot hide Forsett or Schmitt on the practice squad, either, because they will almost-surely be picked up by another team.

Wide Receivers
Deion Branch
Bobby Engram
Nate Burleson
Courtney Taylor
Jordan Kent
Michael Bumpus

The ‘Hawks need at least four guys to run their offense, so they might be stuck putting somebody like Forsett at WR if one of the guys go down. Branch and Engram are likely out for the first couple of weeks, and Bumpus is the only guy that has made a true difference this preseason. Watch for Logan Payne taking his spot, though, as Bumpus is hideable on the practice squad.

Injured Reserve - Ben Obomanu

Tight Ends
John Carlson
Jeb Putzier

Both of these guys had a nice preseason. Heller is the odd-man-out here, simply because they had to cut from somewhere on the roster after carrying so many backs. This is the most justifiable spot to take a man from, unfortunately it has to be the longest-tenured TE on the team.

Offensive Line
Walter Jones
Mike Wahle
Chris Spencer
Rob Sims
Sean Locklear
Steve Vallos
Ray Willis
Floyd Womack
Mansfield Wrotto

The line is a lot more reliable than last year, and they have pretty reliable depth on it. Vallos, last years seventh round pick, has showed he can play backup center this preseason, and the rest of the guys are just returning vets. Be wary of Womack’s return, though, as the ‘Hawks might release him simply on injury concerns.

Defensive Line
Patrick Kerney
Brandon Mebane
Rocky Bernard
Daryl Tapp
Lawrence Jackson
Red Bryant
Craig Terrill
Howard Green
Jason Babin

The Seahawks have a lot of depth at defensive line when they are healthy. Bryant has a lot of potential and the rest of the backups, sans Terrill, have had great preseasons. The team will have to decide whether it wants to keep Babin, a very-much improved DE veteran (former first round pick) or Baraka Atkins (last year’s fourth round pick who has done little to impress). Maybe the latter will fit on a practice squad, but there is a possibility they keep both and develop one as a swing-man linebacker.

Linebackers
Julian Peterson
Lofa Tatupu
Leroy Hill
D.D. Lewis
Lance Laury
David Hawthorne

Physically Unable to Perform List - Will Herring

Each of these guys have earned a spot on the roster. The top three are perennial starters and Pro Bowl-caliber players. D.D. Lewis is back from a stint with the Texans, and knows the defensive system. Laury is a fantastic special team-er and a developing backer, and Hawthorne has had a phenomenal training camp/preseason. Herring is hurt, again, and will be out at least the first six weeks (luckily that doesn’t cost the team a roster spot).

Defensive Backs
Marcus Trufant
Kelly Jennings
Deon Grant
Brian Russell
Jordan Babineaux
Josh Wilson
Kevin Hobbs
CJ Wallace
Jamar Adams

The defensive backfield is the easiest roster spot (besides QB) to figure out. We know they are going to fight to keep all of the above guys, it is just a matter of whether they want to spend seven or eight spots. My money is on the fact that they keep all of these guys, as none of them (except maybe CJ Wallace) are able to be hidden on the practice squad.

Special Teams
Brandon Coutu
Reggie Hodges
Will Robinson

Injured Reserve - Tyler Schmitt

Coutu has been fabulous in the preseason, knocking kickoffs into the end zone and going seven-for-seven on field goals. Mare, his competition, has missed one but has also played really well. It is tough, but I think the Seahawks go for potential and not age. Punter Ryan Plackemeier had a pitiful preseason, booming 20-yard punts when he wasn’t hurt. On the other hand, Hodges proved he could hold kicks and be a consistent punter. He gets my nod. Will Robinson replaces Tyler Schmitt, this years sixth round long snapper who has back problems.

The Count
Offense - 26
Defense - 24 Special Teams - 3