The reigning NFC champions are making a concerted effort to beef up their defensive line.
Seattle is signing free-agent defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday, per a source informed of the pending move. The Seahawks had a void to fill in the middle of the defensive line with Kevin Williams currently being a free agent.
The addition of Rubin is all about his upside. The former Cleveland Brown is younger and more athletic than his predecessor, Williams. Rubin put up modest numbers last season -- 28 tackles and one sack -- but those stats should be on the uptick in Seattle. The defensive tackle is better suited for Seattle's 4-3 defensive scheme rather than Cleveland's 3-4 defense, so we expect his productivity to be better in the Pacific Northwest.
Rubin was No. 83 in Around The NFL's top 101 free agents lists.
The Seahawks are also considering bringing back D'Anthony Smith, who played with the team in 2013. Smith visited Seattle on Thursday, per Rapoport.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast makes some bold free agency predictions and discusses Adrian Peterson's future. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.