Azeez Al-Shaair

Signing Al-Shaair was the first move the Texans made when free agency opened up in March. In his age-27 season, the linebacker reunites with coach DeMeco Ryans, who served as Al-Shaair's defensive coordinator with the 49ers. He's a durable workhorse with a high motor and finished fifth in the NFL last season with 163 tackles for the Titans. Obviously, Ryans is familiar with all of his skills and plans to install Al-Shaair as the unit's signal-caller and middle linebacker, replacing the departed Blake Cashman.

Al-Shaair spent the first four seasons of his professional career with the 49ers, but he joined the Titans this offseason. He's shown the ability to rack up tackles - he made 102 stops in 2021 - and will be relied upon for a big role in Tennessee after the departure of David Long. The biggest issue for Al-Shaair has been his ability to stay on the field, as he's played only 25 games combined across the last two seasons.

Al-Shaair had a modest breakout season in 2021 while filling in for the injured Dre Greenlaw out of camp. The undrafted Florida Atlantic product started the 13 regular-season games for which he was healthy, finishing with 102 tackles, five passes defended, an interception, two sacks and a forced fumble. Al-Shaair dealt with some minor injuries throughout the year, and he continues to recover from the shoulder and knee surgeries that he underwent this offseason. The starting Will linebacker job alongside Fred Warner will go to either Al-Shaair or fellow currently injured teammate Greenlaw