4 low-cost free agents Cowboys can sign to bolster the roster

2. Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, Tennessee Titans

We still haven't heard from Leighton Vander Esch but following another neck injury in 2023, the expectation is that he's going to have to walk away from the game. LVE might not have ever recaptured the magic he had during his 2018 rookie campaign but he was easily the most complete linebacker on this roster over the past few seasons.

As soon as he was lost in 2023, the defense saw a decline in effectiveness against the run. His ability to go hard after the ball carrier was sorely missed and even with DeMarvion Overshown set to return this coming season, the Cowboys remain thin at the position overall — and there's no one to play the MIKE.

Again, the draft could be the way to go but this front office likes to make sure they have a starting team in place before the draft. This strategy keeps them from reaching, and we all know what happens when they focus too hard on one position.

One free agent who could solve their need for a middle linebacker is Azeez Al-Shaair who spent 2023 with the Tennessee Titans. After four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Al-Shaair landed a one-year deal worth $5 million and was worth every penny. He finished the campaign with 163 tackles and two sacks and will again hit the open market this year.

Al-Shaair should expect a raise following his performance but unless teams suddenly start to re-think the valuation of linebackers, he should still come in under $10 million. That makes him a potential target to replace LVE and keep this defense on task.