The franchise tag is a tool NFL teams use to keep pending free agents off the market. It’s not favorable among the players and their union. But it’s been agreed upon in the past several Collective Bargaining agreements.
This year promises to be no different with a number of free agents likely headed for the dreaded tag. Here, we look at eight who will likely be handed it and kept off the NFL free agent market.
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Chris Jones, defensive tackle, Kansas City Chiefs
The tag for Jones would cost the two-time defending champion Chiefs nearly $21 million. They made it a possibility by picking up his contract option in a move that is a bit rare in today’s NFL landscape. Whether Kansas City franchises Jones remains to be seen after he held out into the 2023 season following the Chiefs’ decision to do so last year. What we do know is that Jones is worth well north of that $21 million. Over the course of the past two seasons, he’s racked up 59 QB hits, 30 tackles for loss and a whopping 26 sacks. Dude deserves his pay day.
Brian Burns, EDGE, Carolina Panthers
Burns, 25, had a somewhat down 2023 season with 18 QB hits and eight sacks. That came after a 2022 season in which the former first-round pick from Florida State recorded 22 QB hits and 12.5 sacks en route to earning a second consecutive Pro Bowl trip. The Panthers want to maintain their young identity on defense. Burns obviously fits into that. Their decision not to deal him ahead of the in-season NFL trade deadline adds another layer to that. Despite a cost of $20.2 million, we envision Carolina franchising Burns.
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Tee Higgins, wide receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Rumors continue to float about that Higgins is destined to become a WR1 with another team during NFL free agency. It’s simply not something that’s possible with Ja’Marr Chase doing his thing in Cincinnati. Over the course of his first three NFL seasons, Higgins averaged north of 1,000 yards while catching 66% of his passes. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency this past season, catching 42 passes for 656 yards in 12 games. But the expectation is that the Bengals will franchise Higgins at a cost of $20.67 million.
Antoine Winfield Jr., safety, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Much like his father, Winfield Jr. has proven to be among the best defensive backs in the NFL. The former Minnesota Golden Gopher is coming off a First-Team All-Pro season in which he recorded six sacks, six forced fumbles and three interceptions. He is an all-around ball hawk in the truest sense of the word. Paying out a mere $16.2 million under the franchise tag is a no-brainer for the Buccaneers.
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Michael Pittman Jr., wide receiver, Indianapolis Colts
No one will mistake Pittman Jr. for a dynamic receiving threat. Instead, he’s among the best possesion receivers in the NFL. Over the course of the past three seasons, the USC product is averaging 99 receptions for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns. That seems darn good. The question here is whether Indianapolis will dole out the $20.67 million it will cost to franchise Pittman Jr. We’re banking on it.
Baker Mayfield, quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rumors suggest that Baker Mayfield is in line to sign a contract extension with the Buccaneers. Heck, he was caught on a hot mic telling a certain Pro Football Hall of Famer that this is in the cards. With that said, contract talks between teams and quarterbacks can be tricky. Tampa Bay is not in a position to let Mayfield test free agency after the banner season he put up in 2023 (4,044 yards, 28 TD, 10 INT). If the two sides can’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal, franchising this former No. 1 pick at a cost of $36.29 million makes a ton of sense.
Xavier McKinney, safety, New York Giants
One of the few great draft picks the Giants have made over the past few years, McKinney has morphed into a legitimate all-around safety. Last season alone, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star recorded 11 passes defended and three interceptions. He also yielded a mere 69.8 QB rating when targeted. Franchising McKinney at a mere $16.2 million makes a ton of sense.
L’Jarius Sneed, cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs
One of the primary reasons Kansas City repeated as Super Bowl champions, Sneed more than proved himself as a lock-down cornerback this past season. The former fourth-round pick from Louisiana Tech gave up a mere 51% completion and 56.2 QB rating when targeted this past season. Those are some insane numbers. The Chiefs would be absolutely foolish not to franchise Sneed at a mere $18.76 million.
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