Seahawks sign DT Ahtyba Rubin

The Seahawks have signed free agent defensive lineman Ahtyba Rubin.

Seattle has had a few spots to fill on their defensive line, including that vacated by Kevin Williams, who is a free agent. Rubin is a 6'2, 325 pound defensive tackle in 8th year out of Iowa State that the Browns drafted in the sixth round in 2008. He just finished out his second contract, a four-year, $26.5 million contract that he played all the way through, which is a relative rarity in the modern NFL.

For what it's worth, Mike Holmgren, who was the GM in Cleveland from 2010-2012, told KJR's Ian Furness yesterday that he's very high on his former player. "They should sign him," he said. "He's a great football player. I can't believe Cleveland is letting him out of there."

By most accounts, Rubin had a down 2014 season as he battled an ankle injury but his 2013 season was strong. He's still only 28 years old and the Seahawks apparently see some upside in his game. He'll likely play at the nose-tackle and three-technique spots, though it's tough to say what role Seattle sees him in, specifically.

The Seahawks also re-signed defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith, who has been with the team since 2013.