The Seattle Seahawk are hosting former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Earl Mitchell on a free agent visit, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic.

Mitchell, 31, is a nine-year NFL veteran who spent the last two seasons in San Francisco. He is known as a run-stuffing interior defensive tackle, and would serve as a schematic replacement for Shamar Stephen, who elected to return to Minnesota and sign with the Vikings after one year in Seattle.

Mitchell recorded 28 combined tackles in 14 games for the 49ers last season, earning an average 63.7 grade from Pro Football Focus for his contributions.

League source: #49ers FA NT Earl Mitchell visiting #Seahawks tomorrow. — Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) March 26, 2019

The Seahawks are in need of reinforcements on the interior defensive line. Jarran Reed is their star, but with Stephen gone and Nazair Jones sliding over to five-tech, the Seahawks are left with just Poona Ford to play alongside Reed.

While Ford had an excellent rookie season, and is primed to be a starter next year, the Seahawks certainly need rotational depth at that spot. Adding a veteran like Mitchell seems like a smart move if they can get him on a relatively affordable, short-term contract.

The draft could certainly provide more help up front as well, but Reed and Ford are both fairly young, so a veteran presence may be the preferred way to go for Pete Carroll and company.