4 bargain free agents Seahawks should target to fix biggest needs

The Seattle Seahawks are going to make a lot of roster moves over the next month. They will need to release some players under contract for 2024 to create cap room. But free agency also begins on March 13 so Seattle will be adding players to the team.

General manager John Schneider and head coach Mike Macdonald have to address some obvious needs in free agency and the draft. These position groups include linebacker, safety, the defensive line, and the interior of the offensive line. Taking a player at one of these units in the draft is good, but one player will not fix the problem.

Because the Seahawks are pressed for cap space currently even with the room they make one way or another, they cannot chase the higher-priced free agents. Finding bargain basement gems is a must. These four players might be that.

Seattle Seahawks should go after linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair

In 2023, Al-Shaair finally knew going into a season he was going to be a full-time starter. He had signed a one-year deal with the Tennessee Titans after starting his career with four years with the San Francisco 49ers. He turned out to be everything Seahawks free agent signee Devin Bush was not. Al-Shaair tackled well, offered versatility in terms of pass rush, and was decent in coverage as well.

He is still only 26 years old, too, and not overused as he played far more snaps in 2023 than in any other year of his career. So if there is such a thing as a young 26 in the NFL, that would be Al-Shaair. He also should not be that costly. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), the linebacker is only projected to be given a contract for three years at $6.25 million a season. That dollar amount is likely around what Seattle might offer Bobby Wagner for him to return but Al-Shaair is six years younger.

Al-Shaair also appears to have turned quickly into a leader for the Tennessee Titans. While he might not completely fill the leadership void of Wagner if he is not re-signed, Al-Shaair would still be a good veteran voice on an overall young Seattle defense. Plus, he doesn't miss many tackles and finished fifth in the league in tackles in 2023. He would be a great fit in Mike Macdonald's defense.