The NFL's game of franchise tag has started again for 2022. Tuesday marked the opening of the two-week window for all 32 teams to designate one pending unrestricted free agent as their franchise player.
From now until March 8, teams must decide whether they have a worthy candidate to lock into a one-year, guaranteed top-market deal, either as a short-term contract or place-holder for a lucrative long-term deal.
Here are the 11 best candidates to be tagged from around the league vs. getting extended early or hitting NFL free agency, including their position tender values per OverTheCap.com:
Davante Adams, WR, Packers
Franchise tag tender: $19.1 million
Aaron Rodgers has made it crystal clear to Green Bay he wants the organization to take care of his go-to wide receiver as part of ensuring the QB will be back with the Pack. There's no doubt Adams can challenge for title of highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, both in guaranteed money and overall contract value.
But he will need to wait a bit because the Packers have the league's second-worst salary-cap situation and need to clear some space. Look for Adams to get the tag but the sides hammering out a long-term deal that includes short-term cap relief.
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
Franchise tag tender: $19.1 million
The Chargers have some young wide receivers who can help replace Williaams as the complementary downfield and red zone threat to Keenan Allen, led by Joshua Palmer and Jalen Guyton. But they also have more than $55 million in salary-cap space and want to keep QB Justin Herbert locked and loaded with one of his familiar favorite targets while on his rookie deal.
Williams may not get the long-term deal, but it's a no-brainer to make him a one-year re-signing priority with Herbert most in mind for GM Tom Telesco.
J.C. Jackson, CB, Patriots
Franchise tag tender: $17.3 million
Jackson is a playmaking star who has turned into a pretty good shutdown cover corner, too. He's in his prime, rewarded with second-team All-Pro honors for his superb 2021 season when he led the league with 23 passes defended. Jackson has 17 combined interceptions the past two seasons.
That said, the Patriots will be reluctant to lock him long-term when it's not required to keep his services while he still gets a substantial raise from the $3.38 million he just made. After trading Stephon Gilmore, Bill Belichick should have every intention of not letting Jackson walk. Jackson will need to accept playing on the tag with the potential of testing his worth on the open market in 2023.
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB/WR, Falcons
Franchise tag tender: $12.5 million
The Falcons, after getting a big year from Patterson in his new hybrid but mostly rushing role, have a positional hack to keep him around as the feature back in Arthur Smith's offense for his age 31 season. Atlanta is around $7 million over the cap, so team officials would need to maneuver some to make it work with the tag. Given Patterson's importance after QB Matt Ryan, however, he may be worth the pricey one-year retention knowing he offers multiple-position savvy.
Jessie Bates III, S, Bengals
Franchise tag tender: $13.5 million
The Bengals have around $50 million in available cap space. Should the right player be available, say the Saints' Terron Armstead, you can bet they will focus some of that spending on outside offensive line help.
But they also have plenty to take care of their young defensive star in the secondary. Bates is a rangy stat-stuffing machine vs. run and pass. He also plays a position that remains a great value with the franchise tag. Bates will likely be secured long-term at some point, but he's an easy tag for Cincinnati officials.
Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Chiefs
Franchise tag tender: $16.7 million
The Chiefs have a tough decision to make with the tag as cornerback/safety Tyrann Mathieu is a huge defensive priority to retain. But as the older player going into age his 30 season, there should be more reasonable means to sign him to a long-term deal now while Brown is the smarter tag play at only 25.
Kansas City for now has around $11 million available under the salary cap but expect some releases and restructures to make it possible to bring Brown and Mathieu back. Expect Brown to play under the tag for 2022.
Laken Tomlinson, G, 49ers
Franchise tag tender: $16.7 million
The 49ers have an elite offensive line. Tomlinson is coming off his best-ever blocking season at age 30. They should consider using the tag so he stays put between left tackle Trent Williams and center Alex Mack.
They are more than $4 million over the cap now but they will add more than $25 million to their available spending once QB Jimmy Garoppolo is traded as expected. Tomlinson should like the guaranteed money value of the tag, because it about matches what he made in total contract value for the past three seasons.
Harold Landry, EDGE, Titans
Franchise tag tender: $17.4 million
The Titans are another team that needs to manage a sticky salary-cap situation, but once making the few moves to get the necessary relief, Landry will be the highest priority vs. all their other unsigned veterans for 2022. Turning only 26 in June, he's coming off a breakout Pro Bowl season with 12 sacks while also remaining a tackling force against the run.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
Franchise tag tender: $12.5 million
New offensive-minded head coach Mike McDaniel should recognize that Gesicki has been a key trusted target for Tua Tagovailoa as more of a hybrid big slot receiver. McDaniel also saw how impactful George Kittle's receiving was in San Francisco playing off Deebo Samuel and second-year wideout Jaylen Waddle can be a Samuel-like cog.
No team has more cap space than the Dolphins at more than $60 million available. A little more than 20 percent of that to bring back Gesicki for at least one more season doesn't seem like a lot. Gesicki is only 26 and has improved his pass-catching production in every season.
Haason Reddick, EDGE, Panthers
Franchise tag tender: $17.4 million
The Panthers are about $12 million under the cap so they're also in good shape to keep a key player via short-term means. Reddick is a favorite of coach Matt Rhule going back to Temple. Reddick followed his breakout 12.5 sack 2020 season as a dedicated pass-rusher in Arizona with 11 more sacks during his first season in Carolina, while also showing more durability and punch against the run. Should he hit the open market, there's a good chance the Panthers lose him.
Cam Robinson, OT, Jaguars
Franchise tag tender: $16.7 million
Robinson is the best repeat candidate to be tagged as the Commanders can't afford to tag guard Brandon Scherff a third consecutive time and the Buccaneers should be looking to give Chris Godwin a long-term deal. The Jaguars surprised many by tagging Robinson but he rewarded them with his strongest season yet, pass protecting well for rookie No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence and continuing his power run blocking for mostly James Robinson.
Cam Robinson would have many interested suitors as an alternative to Brown and Armstead should he hit the open market. The Jaguars also would pushed to be thinking more about taking a replacement left tackle vs. the best defensive player available at No. 1 overall in the 2022 draft. With nearly $60 million available under the cap, Jacksonville officials can easily afford to keep Robinson, who would end up earning north of $30 million in guaranteed money over two seasons.
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From now until March 8, teams must decide whether they have a worthy candidate to lock into a one-year, guaranteed top-market deal, either as a short-term contract or place-holder for a lucrative long-term deal.
Here are the 11 best candidates to be tagged from around the league vs. getting extended early or hitting NFL free agency, including their position tender values per OverTheCap.com:
Davante Adams, WR, Packers
Franchise tag tender: $19.1 million
Aaron Rodgers has made it crystal clear to Green Bay he wants the organization to take care of his go-to wide receiver as part of ensuring the QB will be back with the Pack. There's no doubt Adams can challenge for title of highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL, both in guaranteed money and overall contract value.
But he will need to wait a bit because the Packers have the league's second-worst salary-cap situation and need to clear some space. Look for Adams to get the tag but the sides hammering out a long-term deal that includes short-term cap relief.
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
Franchise tag tender: $19.1 million
The Chargers have some young wide receivers who can help replace Williaams as the complementary downfield and red zone threat to Keenan Allen, led by Joshua Palmer and Jalen Guyton. But they also have more than $55 million in salary-cap space and want to keep QB Justin Herbert locked and loaded with one of his familiar favorite targets while on his rookie deal.
Williams may not get the long-term deal, but it's a no-brainer to make him a one-year re-signing priority with Herbert most in mind for GM Tom Telesco.
J.C. Jackson, CB, Patriots
Franchise tag tender: $17.3 million
Jackson is a playmaking star who has turned into a pretty good shutdown cover corner, too. He's in his prime, rewarded with second-team All-Pro honors for his superb 2021 season when he led the league with 23 passes defended. Jackson has 17 combined interceptions the past two seasons.
That said, the Patriots will be reluctant to lock him long-term when it's not required to keep his services while he still gets a substantial raise from the $3.38 million he just made. After trading Stephon Gilmore, Bill Belichick should have every intention of not letting Jackson walk. Jackson will need to accept playing on the tag with the potential of testing his worth on the open market in 2023.
Cordarrelle Patterson, RB/WR, Falcons
Franchise tag tender: $12.5 million
The Falcons, after getting a big year from Patterson in his new hybrid but mostly rushing role, have a positional hack to keep him around as the feature back in Arthur Smith's offense for his age 31 season. Atlanta is around $7 million over the cap, so team officials would need to maneuver some to make it work with the tag. Given Patterson's importance after QB Matt Ryan, however, he may be worth the pricey one-year retention knowing he offers multiple-position savvy.
Jessie Bates III, S, Bengals
Franchise tag tender: $13.5 million
The Bengals have around $50 million in available cap space. Should the right player be available, say the Saints' Terron Armstead, you can bet they will focus some of that spending on outside offensive line help.
But they also have plenty to take care of their young defensive star in the secondary. Bates is a rangy stat-stuffing machine vs. run and pass. He also plays a position that remains a great value with the franchise tag. Bates will likely be secured long-term at some point, but he's an easy tag for Cincinnati officials.
Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Chiefs
Franchise tag tender: $16.7 million
The Chiefs have a tough decision to make with the tag as cornerback/safety Tyrann Mathieu is a huge defensive priority to retain. But as the older player going into age his 30 season, there should be more reasonable means to sign him to a long-term deal now while Brown is the smarter tag play at only 25.
Kansas City for now has around $11 million available under the salary cap but expect some releases and restructures to make it possible to bring Brown and Mathieu back. Expect Brown to play under the tag for 2022.
Laken Tomlinson, G, 49ers
Franchise tag tender: $16.7 million
The 49ers have an elite offensive line. Tomlinson is coming off his best-ever blocking season at age 30. They should consider using the tag so he stays put between left tackle Trent Williams and center Alex Mack.
They are more than $4 million over the cap now but they will add more than $25 million to their available spending once QB Jimmy Garoppolo is traded as expected. Tomlinson should like the guaranteed money value of the tag, because it about matches what he made in total contract value for the past three seasons.
Harold Landry, EDGE, Titans
Franchise tag tender: $17.4 million
The Titans are another team that needs to manage a sticky salary-cap situation, but once making the few moves to get the necessary relief, Landry will be the highest priority vs. all their other unsigned veterans for 2022. Turning only 26 in June, he's coming off a breakout Pro Bowl season with 12 sacks while also remaining a tackling force against the run.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Dolphins
Franchise tag tender: $12.5 million
New offensive-minded head coach Mike McDaniel should recognize that Gesicki has been a key trusted target for Tua Tagovailoa as more of a hybrid big slot receiver. McDaniel also saw how impactful George Kittle's receiving was in San Francisco playing off Deebo Samuel and second-year wideout Jaylen Waddle can be a Samuel-like cog.
No team has more cap space than the Dolphins at more than $60 million available. A little more than 20 percent of that to bring back Gesicki for at least one more season doesn't seem like a lot. Gesicki is only 26 and has improved his pass-catching production in every season.
Haason Reddick, EDGE, Panthers
Franchise tag tender: $17.4 million
The Panthers are about $12 million under the cap so they're also in good shape to keep a key player via short-term means. Reddick is a favorite of coach Matt Rhule going back to Temple. Reddick followed his breakout 12.5 sack 2020 season as a dedicated pass-rusher in Arizona with 11 more sacks during his first season in Carolina, while also showing more durability and punch against the run. Should he hit the open market, there's a good chance the Panthers lose him.
Cam Robinson, OT, Jaguars
Franchise tag tender: $16.7 million
Robinson is the best repeat candidate to be tagged as the Commanders can't afford to tag guard Brandon Scherff a third consecutive time and the Buccaneers should be looking to give Chris Godwin a long-term deal. The Jaguars surprised many by tagging Robinson but he rewarded them with his strongest season yet, pass protecting well for rookie No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence and continuing his power run blocking for mostly James Robinson.
Cam Robinson would have many interested suitors as an alternative to Brown and Armstead should he hit the open market. The Jaguars also would pushed to be thinking more about taking a replacement left tackle vs. the best defensive player available at No. 1 overall in the 2022 draft. With nearly $60 million available under the cap, Jacksonville officials can easily afford to keep Robinson, who would end up earning north of $30 million in guaranteed money over two seasons.
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