Analysis
2/16/22
2 min read
Which NFL Players Could Receive The Franchise Tag This Offseason?
With the March 8th franchise tag deadline fast approaching, we’ve combed through the list of upcoming free agents and highlighted potential candidates to receive the tag before the deadline.
Last year, 10 players were tagged and four ultimately signed extensions. Those four were Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Broncos DS Justin Simmmons, Giants DL Leonard Williams, and Panthers OT Taylor Moton.
The six remaining players who head back into free agency after playing on the franchise tag include:
Bears WR Allen Robinson II
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin
Jaguars OT Cam Robinson
Commanders OG Brandon Scherff
Saints DS Marcus Williams
Jets DS Marcus Maye
After playing a season on the franchise tag for the second consecutive season, Scherff is highly unlikely to be tagged again.
When a player receives the exclusive franchise tag, they are locked into receiving the average of the top 5 salary cap hits at their position following free agency, or 120% of their current salary, whichever is higher. When a player is tagged for a second straight time, like Scherff was last season, they receive 120% of whatever their previous salary was on the tag. If tagged for a third straight time, the player receives the greater of: the QB tag or 144% of their most recent salary.
Having earned over 18m last season on his tag, Scherff would earn 29.5m this season if he were to be tagged again, which is highly unlikely given that the projected franchise tag value for an offensive lineman this season is 16.5m, per Spotrac.
Spotrac’s Projected Franchise Tag Values Are As Follows:
- Quarterback: $29.5M
- Running Back: $9.5M
- Wide Receiver: $18.5M
- Tight End: $11M
- Offensive Lineman: $16.5M
- Defensive Tackle: $17M
- Defensive End: $17.5M
- Linebacker: $18.5M
- Cornerback: $17.5M
- Safety: $13M
- Kicker/Punter: $5M
As of right now, four players stand above the rest as most likely to receive the exclusive franchise tag:
Packers WR Davante Adams
Patriots CB J.C. Jackson
Bengals DS Jessie Bates III
Chiefs OT Orlando Brown
Players who could potentially receive the exclusive franchise tag include:
Panthers EDGE Haason Reddick
Titans EDGE Harold Landry
Cardinals EDGE Chandler Jones
Rams EDGE Von Miller
Rams CB Darious Williams
Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis
Saints DS Marcus Williams (2nd Tag)
Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin (2nd Tag)
Chargers WR Mike Williams
Bengals TE C.J. Uzomah
Packers TE Robert Tonyan
Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki
Browns TE David Njoku
Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz
Saints OT Terron Armstead
