Let’s Play Tag

02/21/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

NFL Franchise Tag Candidates to Watch as Window Opens Today (Feb. 21 – Mar. 7)

The NFL franchise tag window officially opens today, which means your team can begin navigating their ugly offseason salary cap woes with a band-aid for one of their best players. What is the franchise tag, you ask? It allows a franchise to strategically retain one player on a non-negotiated salary who is set to become a free agent, essentially delaying a long-term deal for a one-year rental. The tag is a pre-set amount that differs by position with quarterbacks commanding $32 million. Teams have major decisions to make this offseason, and it all starts with the tag targets.

Players to Watch: Lamar Jackson (Ravens) will likely headline the tag news over the coming days and weeks, but star running backs in New York and Las Vegas are also high on the watch list. The Giants have the decision to make with contracts between quarterback and running back, and the Eagles will have to be selective about which players are most important to their defense. Here are the key players and teams to follow.

NFL Franchise Tag Top Candidates

QB Lamar Jackson (Ravens)

QB Geno Smith (Seahawks)

QB Daniel Jones (Giants)

RB Josh Jacobs (Raiders)

RB Saquon Barkley (Giants)

RB Tony Pollard (Cowboys)

TE Dalton Schultz (Cowboys)

OT Orlando Brown (Chiefs)

OT Mike McGlinchey (49ers)

DT Daron Payne (Commanders)

DT Javon Hargrave (Eagles)