Starting on February 21, NFL teams were able to start placing the franchise tag on impending free agents. That window lasted March 7 when the deadline passed
We were expecting to see a lot of movement on that front, especially when it comes to top-end free agents such as Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. Both were eventually handed the tag.
It was really all about finances for teams. Does it make sense to place the franchise tag on a player when said move will create a huge 2023 cap hit? If not, there’s a risk to letting a star player hit the open market.
We’ll focus on some of that below. But before we do that, let’s check in on the franchise tag numbers for each position. We will also run through what the tag is for those without a working knowledge of it while providing updates at the bottom regarding all of the players who had the tag placed on them.
Related: Ranking the top-400 NFL free agents of 2023
NFL franchise tag projections for 2023
- Quarterback: $32.42 million
- Running back: $10.09 million
- Tight end: $11.35 million
- Wide receiver: $19.74 million
- Offensive line: $18.24 million
- Defensive tackle: $18.94 million
- Defensive end: $19.73 million
- Linebacker: $20.93 million
- Cornerback: $18.14 million
- Safety: $14.46 million
What is the NFL franchise tag?
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, teams can place the dreaded franchise tag on pending free agents before the start of the new league year. A player who has said tag placed on him the first time will receive a one-year contract with an average of the top-five highest-paid players in his position in the NFL over the past five years or 120% of his current salary (whichever is greater). He can opt to sign said tender, hold out or potentially force a trade.
NFL rules are interesting as it relates to the franchise tag. The non-exclusive tag enables another team to sign said player away from his current squad by giving up two first-round picks in what essentially becomes a trade. The exclusive franchise tag prevents other teams from signing said player and would pay him the average of the five largest salaries in player contracts at his postion for that calendar year. Teams can only tag one player per offseason.
Related: NFL salary cap situations for all 32 teams
Likely NFL franchise tag candidates
Now that we have the background, let’s check in on those impending NFL free agents who are most likely going to have the franchise tag placed on them.
Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens (Franchise tagged)
There’s a chance that Baltimore places the tag on Jackson with the sole intention of trading him. Extension talks last offseason did not go well. There also seems to be somewhat of a rift between the quarterback and his organization after the former NFL MVP missed the end of the 2022 season due to a knee injury.
The tag will cost Baltimore roughly $32.45 million in 2023. The Ravens are an estimated $34.67 million under the 2023 NFL salary cap, making a move of this ilk questionable from a financial perspective. If Baltimore went the exclusive franchise tag route, said cost would be $45.46 million.
Saquon Barkley, running back, New York Giants (Franchise tagged)
Barkley is an interesting tag candidate given the smallish $10.1 million figure that would come with it. The former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year returned to pre-injury from in 2022 en route to helping New York to a surprising playoff appearance.
Barkley, 25, gained 1,650 total yards and 10 touchdowns. This came after he played in a combined 15 games over the past two seasons. Placing the franchise tag on Barkley could make more sense than the Giants guaranteeing him a ton of cash on a long-term contract. Though, it could now be looking more and more like New York will let Barkley test the open market.
Jordan Poyer, safety, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has some roster decisions to make this offseason after yet another premature playoff exit. Among them is the status of this stud safety. This past season alone, Poyer yielded a 60.1 QB rating while recording four interceptions in 12 games.
Poyer’s tag value would be $14.47 million in 2023. That’s not a high price to pay given it would rank ninth among safeties in the NFL next season.
Related: Highest-paid NFL players of 2023
Official 2023 NFL franchise tagged players
| Player | Position | Team | Value |
| Lamar Jackson | Quarterback | Baltimore Ravens | $32.42 million |
| Tony Pollard | Running back | Dallas Cowboys | $10.09 million |
| Josh Jacobs | Running back | Las Vegas Raiders | $10.09 million |
| Saquon Barkley | Running back | New York Giants | $10.09 million |
| Evan Engram | Tight end | Jacksonville Jaguars | $11.35 million |
| Daron Payne | Defensive tackle | Washington Commanders | $18.94 million |