7 free-agent defensive linemen Seattle Seahawks could sign in 2024

Free agent DT No. 4 - Teair Tart

There was a disconnect between Tart and the Tennessee Titans in 2023 after he began the season by playing on a second-round tender and not being offered a longer extension he thought was worthy. After playing several games that the Titans thought Tart was not giving maximum effort, the team released him and he ended up with the Houston Texans. Important to note is that the Titans' coaches did not seem to have a good rapport with many of their players and head coach Mike Vrabel was terminated after the season and has not been hired elsewhere yet.

Tart, though, has a strong lower body and is tough to move with one blocker. He has always been good against the run in the NFL and can supply a decent interior pass rush. He had 26 total pressures in 2022, for example. He also missed just 2 tackle attempts this past season. Plus, he will only be 27 years old in Week 1 of the 2024 season so has a lot of years left to be good.

Free agent DT No. 5 - DJ Reader

Reader would be an expensive hire by Seattle as Pro Football Focus has him getting a projected deal for three years and $15.25 million a season. He is only 29 years old so that contract makes sense. If the Seahawks were able to sign Reader, he would instantly upgrade Seattle's defensive line as he is one of the best run-stoppers in the NFL along the interior of the D-line.

His market could be affected by a torn quadriceps he suffered last in 2023. He likely would get back just in time for the new season so if he does come to a new team instead of staying with the Cincinnati Bengals. This would mean he would miss valuable reps with his new teammates. But long-term, Reader would be a great fit in a Mike Macdonald defense and while Reader will never produce huge sack totals, he stuffs the run and helps collapse the pocket when an opposing quarterback does drop back to throw.