Rookie DT Mebane signs; Atkins agrees to terms

With two days left until rookies are supposed to report to training camp, the Seahawks have to reach an agreement with just one more.

The team announced Tuesday it signed defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, their third-round draft choice. Also, defensive end Baraka Atkins, the first of the Seahawks' two fourth-round picks, has agreed to terms and the signing was imminent, according to a source.

The Seahawks don't disclose financial terms or lengths of contracts. But Mebane and Atkins probably have four-year deals in keeping with the contract lengths of the Seahawks' five previously signed draft choices.

Mebane, 6 feet 1 and 314 pounds from California, was chosen with the 85th overall pick of April's draft. He is viewed as a solid run-stuffing interior lineman and figures to join a tackle rotation that includes Rocky Bernard, Marcus Tubbs, Chuck Darby, Russell Davis and Craig Terrill.

Atkins, from Miami, joins veterans Patrick Kerney, Bryce Fisher and Darryl Tapp as the top four defensive ends on the Seahawks' depth chart. The Seahawks released center Nick Jones last week and kicker Tyler Jones Tuesday to make room on the roster for Mebane and Atkins.

The moves leave just cornerback Josh Wilson, the team's second-round pick, as the only draft pick yet to agree to a deal. He is expected to sign his contract before training camp starts this weekend. As other teams' second-round picks sign in the coming days, the market is set and an agreement with Wilson should come quickly.

Seahawks rookies will report to team headquarters in Kirkland on Thursday. The team has already signed Mansfield Wrotto (fourth round), linebacker Will Herring (fifth round), wide receivers Courtney Taylor and Jordan Kent (sixth round) and offensive guard Steve Vallos (seventh round).

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com