A number of free agents have already found new homes, but the reshaping of NFL rosters takes another step with Monday’s deadline for teams to apply the franchise tag to players.
The franchise tag has been around since the beginning of free agency in 1993 and it gives each team a way to keep one potential free agent of its choice for one year at a set price. Although the idea is to allow smaller-market teams to remain competitive with big-market teams, don’t expect a lot of activity here. Although 21 players were tagged in 2012, only eight were tagged in 2013 and there were four last year. This time around, the number is more likely to be less than a dozen.
A player who is given the franchise tag basically receives the average of the top five salaries at his position. That works out to (via from NFL.com’s Albert Breer): Quarterbacks $18.5 million, defensive ends $14.8M, linebackers $13.2M, cornerbacks $13.1M, offensive lineman $12.9M, wide receivers $12.8M, defensive tackles $11.2M, running backs $10.9M, safeties $9.6M, tight ends $8.3M, kickers/punters $4.1M.
In addition, there are “exclusive” and “non-exclusive” tags. The former keeps a player from negotiating with another team; the latter allows him to try to work out a deal with another team. If he is allowed to sign with the new team, his former team receives two first-round draft picks. That’s fairly rare; four teams used it last year.
A player who signs an exclusive franchise tender cannot negotiate with other teams and has until July 15 to negotiate a new, long-term contract with his present team. If he and the team cannot reach an agreement, the player plays the season under the tag.
There’s also something called the transition tag, which is worth the average of the top 10 salaries at a player’s position or 120 percent of the value of his 2014 salary (whichever is higher). Players with the transition tag can negotiate with other clubs, but their original team does not receive draft picks if they cannot match an outside offer. Two teams used the transition tag in 2014.
Now, just which players are likely to be involved Monday? The Dallas Cowboys intend to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant, allowing running back DeMarco Murray to hit free agency. The New York Giants are expected to tag defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is more likely to receive a big, new contract rather than the tag because he earned $22.4 million last season, a figure that would bring a $26.7 million tag number. Still, using a tag on him could be a stopgap move that would keep him off the free-agent market.
In the AFC West, the Denver Broncos are expected to use the tag on wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and the Kansas City Chiefs will do the same with linebacker Justin Houston, who had 22 sacks last season.
The Super Bowl champion New England Patriots are likely to use the tag on safety Devin McCourty while it negotiates a new deal with him. Retaining Darrelle Revis is a lower priority than keeping McCourty.
Others who are in a more iffy position with regard to the franchise tag include Green Bay wide receiver Randall Cobb, Buffalo defensive end Jerry Hughes, Philadelphia wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Baltimore wide receiver Torrey Smith and Houston cornerback Kareem Jackson.
After spending most of her career in traditional print sports journalism, Cindy began blogging and tweeting, first as NFL/Redskins editor, and, since August 2010, at The Early Lead. She also is the social media editor for Sports.
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