NFL free company is correct across the nook, and a few groups have some dear choices to make earlier than the brand new league 12 months begins on March 15.
Groups are capable of place the franchise tag on potential unrestricted free brokers by way of Tuesday. Every workforce can solely tag one participant, which is a completely assured deal for one season if the participant opts to play.
There are two major varieties of franchise tags: non-exclusive, which implies that NFL gamers can nonetheless negotiate with different groups following the applying of the tag, and unique, which prevents gamers from negotiating with different groups. Transition tags are additionally one-year contract provides. Gamers who obtain this tag can negotiate with different groups, however the tagging workforce has the fitting to match any supply.
Franchise tag figures are primarily based on the highest 5 salaries at every place, whereas transition tags pay out a mean of the highest 10 salaries on the participant’s place. No matter the kind of tag, each gamers and groups can nonetheless comply with a long-term deal earlier than coaching camp even when the tag is used. Final season, eight gamers have been franchise tagged.
Comply with alongside right here for the most recent information and rumors:
Anticipated to be tagged
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys plan to franchise tag Pollard if the 2 sides cannot comply with a long-term contract by Tuesday, the NFL Network reported Friday. Cowboys government vp Stephen Jones beforehand instructed reporters on the 2023 NFL Scouting Mix that the workforce would “greater than doubtless” use the franchise tag, however the verdict was nonetheless out on whom.
Franchise tag wage: $10.091 million assured
2022–23 stats: 1,007 yards, 12 whole touchdowns (9 speeding, three receiving)
Why it issues: Pollard topped 1,000 speeding yards for the primary time in his four-year NFL profession final season, turning into a key a part of Dallas’ offense and, at instances, taking on the beginning function for an injured Ezekiel Elliott. His 1,007 yards and 12 scores in 2022 have been each profession highs for the previous fourth-round draft choose. Pollard’s postseason was reduce quick when he fractured his left fibula within the Cowboys’ divisional-round matchup, which required offseason surgical procedure.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders plan to position the franchise tag on Jacobs if the 2 sides cannot attain a contract settlement by Tuesday’s deadline, the NFL Network reported Friday.
Franchise tag wage: $10.091 million assured
2022–23 stats: 1,653 yards, 12 touchdowns
Why it issues: Jacobs, 25, was the NFL’s main rusher in 2022, turning into the primary Raider to take action since Marcus Allen in 1985. He additionally led the league in yards from scrimmage (2,053). He was named first-team All-Professional and was chosen to his second Professional Bowl. Jacobs has rushed for 4,740 yards and 40 touchdowns in his four-year profession whereas catching 160 passes for 1,152 yards. The Raiders beforehand opted to not train the previous first-rounder’s fifth-year possibility final offseason.
Evan Engram, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are anticipated to franchise tag Engram after his sturdy first season in Jacksonville, ESPN reported Thursday.
Franchise tag wage: $11.345 million assured
2022–23 stats: 73 receptions, 766 yards, 4 touchdowns
Why it issues: The sixth-year tight finish had a career-high 73 catches for 766 yards and 4 scores in 2022, reeling in 74.5% of his passes from QB Trevor Lawrence. Engram, 28, spent the primary 5 years of his NFL profession with the New York Giants after being chosen twenty third general in 2017. He boasts 335 profession catches for 3,594 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Formally tagged
Daron Payne, DT, Washington Commanders
Payne was the primary participant to obtain the franchise tag this offseason, with the Commanders utilizing the non-exclusive tag, the team announced on Feb. 28.
Franchise tag wage: $18.937 million assured
2022–23 stats: 64 whole tackles (32 solo), 11.5 sacks, 20 QB hits, 5 passes, one fumble recovered
Why it issues: Payne is coming into his sixth NFL season after initially being chosen by Washington because the thirteenth general choose in 2018. The 25-year-old grew to become the seventh defensive deal with in franchise historical past to be chosen to a Professional Bowl. His career-high 11.5 sacks final season have been third amongst defensive tackles, and he was second amongst all tackles with 21 tackles for a loss. Payne, who has began 75 video games in his five-year NFL profession, boasts 162 tackles and 26 sacks all-time.
Up within the air
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson — arguably the headline title of the 2023 free-agency class — is in search of a fully-guaranteed multi-year deal of roughly $50 million per 12 months, however the Ravens are reluctant to present him such a deal, ESPN previously reported.
Franchise tag wage: $32.416 million assured
2022–23 stats: 62.3% completion price, 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, seven interceptions in 12 video games
Why it issues: The Ravens are reportedly anticipated to position the franchise tag on 2019 NFL MVP, though it is unclear which tag he would obtain. The non-exclusive franchise tag would permit different groups to barter a take care of him, whereas the unique franchise tag, which prevents groups from negotiating a deal, would pay Jackson roughly $45 million, per ESPN. “I covet nice gamers, I covet quarterbacks, and I like Lamar,” Ravens basic supervisor Eric DeCosta mentioned Wednesday. “We wish to do what’s greatest for the membership. We attempt to do what we are able to for Lamar. We wish to make all people completely happy.”
Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
Jones might be headed towards a franchise tag if the 2 sides cannot comply with a long-term deal, which appears increasingly more doubtless because the deadline approaches. Giants basic supervisor Joe Schoen recently told NFL Network that he wished the workforce was “a little bit bit nearer on a deal than what we’re proper now” however that “there’s nonetheless time.”
Franchise tag wage: $32.416 million assured
2022–23 stats: 67.2% completion price, 3,205 yards, 15 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
Why it issues: Jones would be the Giants’ beginning quarterback in 2023 — a method or one other — according to Schoen, who has been in “fixed contact” with Jones’ brokers about signing him to a long-term deal. Jones is reportedly in search of a deal price greater than $40 million per season, whereas the Giants favor to maintain his contract nearer to $35 million per 12 months.
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
One other large title New York has on its radar is Barkley. If the Giants and Jones can comply with an extension previous to Tuesday’s deadline and Barkley is with out a deal, the star operating again is prone to obtain the workforce’s lone franchise tag.
Franchise tag wage: $10.091 million assured
2022–23 stats: 1,312 yards, 10 touchdowns
Why it issues: Schoen beforehand instructed reporters that they have not “completely bridged” the hole however are “a little bit bit nearer” on closing a take care of Barkley, the second general choose by the Giants in 2018. Barkley, 26, was chosen to a Professional Bowl after his first season and earned NFL Offensive Rookie of the 12 months honors earlier than battling accidents in 2019 and 2020 that derailed his subsequent two seasons. He grew to become a two-time Professional Bowler in 2022 after racking up the fourth-most speeding yards final season.
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks basic supervisor John Schneider just lately instructed reporters that contract talks with Smith are “trying excellent” however declined to say if the workforce would use the franchise tag Smith if an extension settlement wasn’t reached by Tuesday.
Franchise tag wage: $32.416 million assured
2022–23 stats: 69.8% completion price, 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, 11 interceptions
Why it issues: Final season was a turning level within the 32-year-old Smith’s profession, as he went from being a backup journeyman for a lot of the previous seven seasons to a Professional Bowler and the NFL’s Comeback Participant of the 12 months. Smith, who performed on a one-year, $3.5 million deal final season, and the Seahawks — are reportedly “intent on getting a deal carried out.”
Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs basic supervisor Brett Veach instructed reporters on the 2023 NFL Scouting Mix that it’s “extra helpful for us to get one thing carried out long-term” with Brown however mentioned that utilizing the franchise tag on him is “an possibility.”
Franchise tag wage: $18.244 million assured
2022–23 stats: 1,133 offensive snaps performed, 4 sacks allowed
Why it issues: Brown beforehand obtained the franchise tag from Okay.C. in 2022. As a result of he was franchised tagged final offseason, his franchise tag price in 2023 could be a bit greater than different offensive linemen.
Jessie Bates III, S, Cincinnati Bengals
It was beforehand steered that Bates could possibly be a franchise tag candidate for Cincinnati once more this offseason, per ESPN.
Franchise tag wage: $14.46 million assured
2022–23 stats: 71 whole tackles (38 solo), 4 interceptions
Why it issues: Bates performed on the franchise tag in 2022 after he wasn’t capable of come to an settlement with the Bengals on a long-term extension. Cincinnati then used its 2022 first-round choose to draft Bates’ anticipated alternative, Dax Hill.
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