Should the Broncos target defensive tackle Teair Tart in free agency?

If the Denver Broncos continue to add to their trenches in free agency, veteran defensive lineman Teair Tart is a name to watch for.

One of the major reasons the Denver Broncos experienced success last season was improved play from their defensive line. Zach Allen shined like a star, Jonathan Franklin-Myers proved to be one of the best additions to the squad, and Malcolm Roach was a quality free agent addition.

Veteran defensive tackle D.J. Jones also played well, but he is scheduled to be a free agent. At the 2025 NFL Combine, General Manager George Paton mentioned he would love to have Jones back in the fold for the Broncos’ 2025 campaign. Whether or not the two parties come to terms on an extension remains to be seen.

If the Broncos and Jones don’t reach an agreement, veteran defensive tackle Teair Tart is a name to watch for and could help fill the void on the interior of Denver’s defensive front. Let’s take a look at Tart, his fit with the Broncos, and whether or not they should pursue him in free agency.

Teair Tart — Defensive Lineman

Age: 28 | Experience: Sixth | Height: 6’2” | Weight: 304 pounds

Undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Florida International University, Tart signed with the Tennessee Titans as a rookie free agent. In four years with the Titans, he played in 45 games with 36 starts. In 2023, he was also a member of the Houston Texans and played in two games. Last year, he saw action in 17 games with the Los Angeles Chargers and posted 29 tackles, 5 of them for loss, 5 quarterback hits, and 1 sack on the season.

Why the Broncos should sign Teair Tart

If Jones isn’t retained, the Broncos will have a rather large hole to fill on the interior of their defensive line. Jones’ primary strength is his ability to be effective against the run and the same goes for Tart. That’s what he excels at the most due to his strength at the point of attack. Tart received a 76 overall grade from Pro Football Focus for his efforts last season which ranked him 17th out of 219 defensive linemen in the NFL.

Tart is sneakily quick off the line of scrimmage and can be a disruptive force against the run on early downs. And while the sack production isn’t there, he has done a great job freeing up his teammates by commanding double teams to let them get after the pass rusher. By no means is Tart a star, but he is a quality player who would be a welcomed addition to Denver’s defensive line rotation.

George Paton remarked during his combine presser that adding talent to both Denver’s lines is a priority, so it would make sense to see Denver explore that option in free agency since it can take time for rookie defensive lineman to make an impact.

Why the Broncos shouldn’t sign Teair Tart

I can’t think of many reasons why the Broncos shouldn’t be interested. I think the price point would be fair. According to Spotrac, Tart is expected to receive $5 million annually in free agency. That’s definitely affordable for the Broncos and wouldn’t put a big dent into their available cap space.

However, it’s important to note that he only played 32-percent of the Chargers’ defensive snaps in ‘24. For comparison’s sake, D.J. Jones played 40-percent of the Broncos’ defensive snaps. That was a 10-percent decrease from the prior two seasons, though Denver’s added depth to the defensive line was the major factor for that with respect to Jones.

That’s not too big of a difference, but there has never been a point in Tart’s career where he has played above 50-percent of snaps in a season. With that in mind, he might not be a long-term fixture for the defense or a sure-fire starter, but a stop-gap option for the Broncos who can replace most of what Jones brings to the table. Though I don’t believe there would be too big of an issue in Tart’s ability to see 100 more snaps in ‘25.

Final thoughts

If the Broncos aren’t able to come to terms with D.J. Jones on an extension to keep him in the Mile High City, it’s very likely the team will look to free agency to add a veteran player into the mix. They need options at nose tackle moving forward. Tart is an underrated player who would be a good fit for Vance Joseph’s defense and help bolster their run defense.