After Teair Tart Signing, Do Miami Dolphins Have Enough on D-Line?

The Miami Dolphins certainly have enough quantity on the defensive line. But do they have enough quality?

They certainly took an important step forward in that regard on Friday by working out a free-agent contract with veteran defensive tackle Teair Tart.

What To Know About Miami Dolphins DT Teair Tart

The details of Tart’s contract were not immediately known, but according to Bleacher Report, he also drew interest from the Minnesota Vikings and Houston Texans.

Tart’s signing should provide a big lift to a Dolphins run defense that had been significantly diminished with the loss of Christian Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency.

The signing is just another indication new Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver has a by-committee approach to the defensive line.

He will be a big rotational piece on a line that is expected to feature Zach Sieler, Benito Jones, and Neville Gallimore — plus more.

Veterans Da’Shawn Hand, Jonathan Harris, and Brandon Pili will also be part of what’s expected to be a heated training camp battle.

While the signing certainly does not preclude the Dolphins from taking a defensive lineman early in this month’s NFL Draft, it makes the need a little less glaring.

Most expect the Dolphins to use the 21st overall pick on one of the following players:

WR Brian Thomas Jr. | LSU
OT JC Latham | Alabama
EDGE Jared Verse | Florida State
OT Troy Fautanu | Washington
EDGE Laiatu Latu | UCLA
EDGE Chop Robinson | Penn State
DT Byron Murphy II | Texas
OT Amarius Mims | Georgia
OT Tyler Guyton | Oklahoma
DT Johnny Newton | Illinois
OL Graham Barton | Duke
C Jackson Powers-Johnson | Oregon State

Tart, 27, is the second FIU Panther to sign with the Dolphins in 2024, following tight end Jonnu Smith back to Miami-Dade County.

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Tart, who broke into the league as an undrafted rookie in 2020, spent parts of four years with the Tennessee Titans before landing with the Houston Texans for their playoff run.

Tart in his career has 36 starts in 47 appearances with 2.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 14 quarterback hits.