After the combine had come to a completion on Monday, teams are now exercising their right to franchise tag players before the deadline at 4p.m. Tuesday. Although the franchise tag does help ensure the player on your roster for the next season, it could make or break your plans heading into the 2016 free agent market.
AFC
The Denver Broncos are coming off an impressive Super Bowl victory, and General Manager John Elway, isn’t dwelling on the victory as he placed an exclusive franchise tag on Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, according to Albert Breer of NFL Network. The exclusive tag ensures that Miller will be on the team’s roster heading into 2016, and coming off a huge performance in the Super Bowl, he gives no indication that he wants out of Denver, and Elway and Miller’s agents will continue to talk about a long term deal according to Cameron Wolfe of the Denver Post.
But tagging the Super Bowl MVP, will have a trickle down effect on the Broncos roster as well as their cap space in the offseason. With a heavy payroll due to their elite defense, the Broncos tag on Miller will open up the door for free agent to be Malik Jackson, who is coming off a tremendous season and seems to be appealing for a lot of franchises in need of interior linemen who can get after the Quarterback. Jackson is seeking a long term deal with top tier money, which is going to be problems due to the lack of money Denver has to offer, especially since they put the exclusive tag on Von Miller which is over $14 million for the 2016 season.
Back up quarterback Brock Osweiler, is also ready to hit the free agent market, after starting the last six games this season due to an injured Peyton Manning. With no official word from Peyton Manning himself or his camp regarding retirement, it would seem problematic for the Broncos who have a lot of questions to answer at Quarterback this offseason. Since the Elway has placed the tag on Miller, Osweiler is also going to hit free agency. Some Quarterback’s to keep in mind are Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick, who have struggled with their last two years and announced they have requested to be traded from their respected teams.
Safety Eric Berry returned to the field this season after a year away from the game because he was battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma disease. Cancer free and a year later, the pro bowl safety returned to the Arrowhead stadium with a standing ovation. Kansas City has tremendous respect for Berry and are expected to place the tag on him and keep him in Kansas City for another year, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Chiefs officially have placed franchise tag on safety Eric Berry, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2016
Rich Cimini of ESPN also reports that the New York Jets have already placed their non-exclusive tag on defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson, who was sixth in the NFL last year in total sacks, with twelve solo sacks on the year. The non exclusive tag allows the opportunity for other teams to make an offer with the Jets but, it would cost the team two first round picks as compensation. A smart move by General Manager Mike Maccagnan to use the non-exclusive tag.
But placing the tag on one, frees up another, Damon Harrison also approaching free agency looks to be the last man standing for the Jets and doesn’t seem the Jets will have enough money to keep the both happy. According to Cimini, MacCagnan said the following, “We like Mo and Damon and were going to try to figure out a way to keep both of them” staying optimistic about keeping both superstar interior linemen heading into next season.
The Miami Dolphins have also placed their transition franchise tag on defensive end Olivier Vernon, who was about to enter free agency, according to Ian Rapport of NFL Network. Placing the transition tag is definitely a tricky play by General Manager Mike Tannenbaum, because this gives the opportunity for other teams to match that $12.734 offer. Miami could also choose not to match the new offer but it would not give them any compensation outside of a compensatory pick the following season. This could be interesting because there are many teams in search of an elite pass rusher and Olivier Vernon definitely fits that narrative.
The #Dolphins have chosen to transition tag DE Olivier Vernon, which gives them the right to match any offer. Interesting choice.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2016
Smart play by both the Dolphins and the Jets so resign they’re top pass rushers of this season. As both franchises are playing catch up with the New England Patriots, who showed they have serious problem protecting their hall of fame Quarterback, Tom Brady.
But the Bills weren’t quiet on tag deadline day either, as they placed their tag on offensive linemen Cordy Glenn, as well as releasing defensive end and former number one overall pick Mario Williams. Not a bad move from the Bills who made sure they would get Glenn back for another year as well as making enough room in cap salary to resign offensive linemen Richie incognito, whose coming off a pro bowl year. The Bills had their hands tied with bringing back both linemen, but releasing Williams, who stated he wasn’t happy in Rex Ryan’s defense, will create enough space for them to bring back both linemen which is a key for Quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
The #Bills are franchise tagging OL Cordy Glenn, source said
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2016
I'm told by a source Bills DE Mario Williams has been informed he's been released.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 1, 2016
NFC
The Washington Redskins have placed a franchise tag on their starting Quarterback Kirk Cousins, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. What most believe is a questionable move, I choose to believe otherwise. Even though the Quarterback position has hurt the Washington franchise for years, that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw money towards Cousins like they did with Robert Griffin III, who is looking to be traded this offseason. Cousins was stellar last season posting career highs in every passing category, including lowering his turnovers, which was his biggest weakness.
With no deal close, Redskins GM Scot McCloughan called his QB Kirk Cousins about 30 minutes ago to tell him he was being franchised.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 1, 2016
Placing the tag on Cousins early is a very smart play heading into the offseason including when free agency period begins. Cousins being tagged already, addresses the fact that Cousins will indeed start for Washington next season and that Head Coach Jay Gruden shows faith in Cousins as a starter but offering no long term to Cousins, shows him there are still doubts around the franchise about his consistency and he’ll have to prove over the next year that he is more than valuable for a long term deal.
The Carolina Panthers also placed a tag on pro bowl cornerback Josh Norman, also according to Ian Rapport of NFL Network. Although Norman is looking to sign a huge long term contract after this season, but even though the tag was placed, much like the Broncos, the Panthers front office and Norman’s team will continue to negotiate a long term deal. Carolina’s defense was elite this season but other than Josh Norman and safety Kurt Coleman, the Panthers secondary struggled down the stretch of the season. Norman held opposing Quarterback’s this season to a QBR of just 24.1, which was the best in the NFL, and a serious reason why Norman is looking for a big payday.
Officially, Josh Norman has been franchise tagged by the #Panthers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 1, 2016
From shutdown corners to elite wide receivers, Alshon Jeffery of the Chicago Bears, is another player who will be tagged as soon as possible. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported as early as Saturday, that the Bears were expected to tag Jeffery. Not a bad move from Chicago being is that they lost their offensive coordinator who is now the head coach of the Miami Dolphins, Adam Gase, who had great chemistry with Quarterback Jay Cutler, coming off one his better years after struggling the previous three years in Chicago. Even though Jeffery was hurt most of the season, in just 9 games Jeffery was able to snag 54 receptions along with four touchdowns and over 800 yards receiving. At 6’3”, 216 pounds, Jeffery’s big athletic prototype body makes him a deadly weapon in the passing game and if healthy and a focused Jay Cutler, Jeffery can be a top five wide receiver in which he displayed in 2013 and 2014.
#Bears decided to tag WR Alshon Jeffery, source said. They had multiple discussions with agent Tory Dandy in Indy, couldn't strike a deal
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 29, 2016
