Tag You’re It: NFL Teams Have Decision To Make
Former Rushing Champs Among Those Who Could Earn NFL Franchise Player Designations
There Were Some Mixed Results Among the 2023 Franchise Tagged Players
It won’t be long before the NFL Draft buzz will dominate the football news cycle. Before that happens, NFL teams will look to keep top free agents off the market by utilizing franchise tags.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans, and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry are among the prominent players who could hit free agency and are eligible for NFL franchise player designation.
The window to start placing franchise tags on players opens on Tuesday.
NFL teams have until early March to make the final decisions on the players to tag so it does give them time to sign players to extensions rather than use a franchise tag on them.
The decisions on who to tag and which prominent players change teams will have an impact on the NFL odds when the games begin in September.
Winfield Staying Put?
Defensive backs could be popular targets when it comes to franchise tag possibilities.
There are multiple reports that the Buccaneers will use the NFL franchise player designationon safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who finished seventh in the NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting.
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, and New York Giants defensive back Xavier McKinney are players who could play during the 2024 season under franchise tags. When it comes to the point when today’s NFL games are in the headlines, where these players end up could make a huge difference in the NFL betting lines.
One of the defensive backs who won’t be signed with a franchise tag is safety Eddie Jackson as he was recently released by the Chicago Bears.
When looking at the NFL picks, the Baltimore Ravens could use a franchise tag on either defensive tackle Justin Madubuike or linebacker Patrick Queen while Carolina edge rusher Brian Burns is another potential target for a franchise tag.
Ready to Catch On?
If the Buccaneers do use the franchise tag on Winfield, it is possible that no receiver will be retained using the tag since the NFL franchise player designation couldn’t be used on Evans.
Washington’s Curtis Samuel, Cincinnati’s Tyler Boyd, and Arizona’s Marquise Brown would be options to be tagged but there could be other options to keep them with the teams they currently play for.
With the way running backs are undervalued in the salary scale, that is another position that might not see an abundance of franchise tags being utilized.
The Chiefs just won back-to-back Super Bowls with a second-year running back and a former seventh-round pick in Isiah Pacheco as the leading rusher.
Tennessee’s Henry, Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders, Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers, and Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants are all top-notch NFL running backs. However, it remains to be seen how much money they will be willing to spend to keep them in the fold.
Best Players Available
Here’s a look at the best player at each position set to become an unrestricted free agent.
| Player | Team | Position | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Kirk Cousins | Minnesota Vikings | Quarterback |
 | Derrick Henry | Tennessee Titans | Running back |
 | Mike Evans | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Wide Receiver |
 | Dalton Schultz | Houston Texans | Tight End |
 | Tyron Smith | Dallas Cowboys | Offensive Tackle |
 | Andreas Peat | New Orleans Saints | Guard |
 | Cody Whitehair | Released by the Chicago Bears | Center |
 | Chris Jones | Kansas City Chiefs | Defensive Tackle |
 | Brian Burns | Carolina Panthers | Edge Rusher |
 | Patrick Queen | Baltimore Ravens | Linebacker |
| Jaylon Johnson | Chicago Bears | Cornerback |
| Antoine Winfield Jr. | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Safety |
A Look Back at 2023
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who was just named the NFL’s Regular-Season Most Valuable Player for the second time, was among the players signed to a franchise tag in 2023.
Barkley and fellow running back Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys were also tagged. Pollard topped 1000 rushing yards and Barkley would have reached that number had he not missed three games. Jacobs also stayed with the Raiders but had a disappointing NFL season.
Washington defensive lineman Daron Payne and Jacksonville tight end Evan Engram are other players signed to franchise tags in 2023.
What Is A Franchise Tag?
Players who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents can be signed to a franchise tag and that keeps them with their team for the upcoming season at a pre-determined salary.
There are three levels of the franchise tag. Most fall under the non-exclusive franchise tag.
The exclusive franchise tag is reserved for a player who will be paid a salary that averages the top five players at his position.
The transition tag goes to a player who would be paid a one-year salary that is the average of the top 10 players at his position.
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