NFL: 2014 Franchise Tag Candidates

Matt Ryan, franchise tag?

by Chad Jones


With the drama of Franchise Tags nearing the July 15th Deadline, we take a look ahead to next offseasons potential Franchise Tagged Players.

NFL Agents loathe the Franchise Tag, a Tender teams reserve the right to utilize on their own Free Agents. The tender can be applied 2 times on one player, and has been utilized in consecutive years recently (Redskins Fred Davis & Cowboys Anthony Spencer). While it pays among the upper echelon at their position, it makes garnering a longterm commitment outside the realm of possibility with another club. It creates drama, as the two sides must broker an extension prior to a set July 15th Deadline. Holdouts have occurred, because the NFL is a Business. It hurts the longterm finances of players & is thus vehemently detested. Let's take a look at 2014 Franchise Tag Possibilities. 


Atlanta Falcons: QB Matt Ryan -28- 
Agent Tom Condon of CAA, GM Thomas Dimitroff & Owner Arthur Blank are committed to a longterm deal at the right juncture. The remaining question is terms, which could increase significantly off a strong year. If a longterm deal cannot be consummated prior to the 2014 League Year, the Exclusive Franchise Tag is an inevitable placeholder. 

Baltimore Ravens: TE Dennis Pitta -28- 
One of Joe Flacco's favorite targets, the 2010 4th Rounder signed his RFA Tender & will be eligible for Free Agency next offseason. A strong working relationship exists between the Front Office & Pitta's representatives Athletes First. However, if a deal cannot be consummated a protracted Franchise Tag process could result. The issue is Pitta will turn 29 entering the 2014 season, and how long are the Ravens willing to commit to Pitta entering the 30 threshold. 

Buffalo Bills: FS Jarius Byrd -26- & C Eric Wood -27-
We've analyzed the Byrd Franchise Tag drama extensively. From Agent Eugene Parker's side, the issue is the Bills could reapply the Tag for the 2014 season at 120% of the 2013 figure: 6.9 Million. Parker appears committed to get his Client to Free Agency, or brokering a lucrative longterm deal. Another outcome is Byrd agrees to play under the Franchise Tag for 2013 with the Bills including in writing that the tag won't be reapplied for 2014. If the tag is off the table either via extension or agreement, the next logical candidate is former 1st Round Center Eric Wood. 

Carolina Panthers: DE Greg Hardy -25- 
2010 6th Rounder accumulated 11 sacks in 2012, coming into his own opposite bookend Charles Johnson. New sheriff in town Dave Gettleman comes from the Giants where an emphasis on pass rushers vaulted the team to 2 Super Bowls. If Hardy can continue his ascent & development, the Franchise Tag would be the logical step. That will create a difficult negotiation for the New GM & hardy's recently hired Agent- Drew Rosenhaus. 

Chicago Bears: QB Jay Cutler -30- & DT Henry Melton -26- 
GM Phil Emergy has numerous decisions on the horizon, none more critical than Jay Cutler's future in the Windy City. It will come down to his play under new Head Coach Marc Trestman, who was truly hired to get Jay Cutler into the upper echelon QB conversation. If a longterm deal is agreed upon, the team could refranchise Melton for 2014, or possibly consider the same decision with the list of other UFAs. 

Cincinnati Bengals: DT Geno Atkins -25- 
2010 4th Rounder has emerged as the leagues premier 3 technique, showing rare quickness to generate upfield pressure. One of the Franchise cornerstones won't be allowed to depart via Free Agency. Either a Franchise Tag process plays out of 2 seasons, or Atkins agrees to long-term extension. The organization has worked overtime to ensure a strong working relationship with Atkins' Agents at SportsTrust Advisors- (See Robert Geathers generous contract). 

Cleveland Browns: C Alex Mack -27- 
Legendary Agent Marvin Demoff surprisingly hasn't opened extension talks with the new Front Office. For all the teams disappointment of the past few years, it is bestowed with a premier Offensive Line. Mack is the rock in the middle, a 2009 1st Rounder that has become of the leagues best at his position. Would require paying an interior linemen Tackle Money, as the Franchise Tag doesn't differentiate between offensive line spots.

Dallas Cowboys: LB Sean Lee -27-
After applying the Franchise Tag to DE Anthony Spencer for a 2nd consecutive year, Mr. Jones bypassed longterm talks with the pass rusher to begin talks with Priority Sports on the ILB. Coming off injury, it appears talks have stagnated. Lee's side will seek a comparable deal to their other client A.J. Hawk, and if Dallas is unwilling to make that commitment, the Franchise Tag is a viable option.

Denver Broncos: WR Eric Decker -26-
Tricky situation for John Elway & Cap Man Mike Sullivan. Decker is currently represented by Todd France, who also works on behalf of Demaryius Thomas & Von Miller. The Broncos must make a decision on the 3 players, which inevitably equates to prioritizing Thomas (FA- 2015) & Miller (FA- 2016). Not letting Decker enter Unrestricted Free Agency will invariably influence the latter negotiations with Thomas & Miller; as Agents always prefer clients being Free Agents over the dreaded Tag. 

Detroit Lions: TE Brandon Pettigrew -28- 
Matthew Stafford & Calvin Johnson have been extended longterm. The remaining piece that inevitably gets extended is Ndamukong Suh. That leaves Pettigrew as the odd man out, which makes the affordable Franchise Tag at the Tight End position an option. 

Green Bay Packers: WR James Jones -30- & CB Sam Shields -26- 
Jones enters the final year of a 3 Year 9.7 M team-friendly deal, and his production could warrant a Tag. It's unlikely, but still an option for GM Ted Thompson. It hinges significantly on Jones' contribution to the WR corps. Sam Shields, a former UDFA, I've previously labeled an up-and-coming elite ballhawk. GM Ted Thompson & Agent Drew Rosenhaus have exchanged longterm proposals, but they'll let Shields play out 2013 as a Restricted Free Agent. The Packers are in fortunate circumstances, as they could prioritize Shields by cutting CB Tramon Williams (7.5 M Cap Savings & 2.0 M Dead Money), applying residual savings to Shields' extension. 

Houston Texans: LB Brian Cushing -26- & CB Kareem Jackson -25- 
Brian Cushing recently stated teammate J.J. Watt could, 'Become the Best Ever.' To me, it subliminally illuminated that retaining the talented, albeit injury prone Cushing, and paying Watt will be difficult. The Franchise Tag could thus be an option, which will come with major backlash from Agent Drew Rosenhaus. The other option is Cornerback Kareem Jackson, who after an adjustment period entering the league is now a consistent corner opposite Jonathan Joseph. 

Indianapolis Colts: CB Vontae Davis -25- 
GM Ryan Grigson's first year was an unquestioned success. One questionable move was trading a 2nd Rounder for Vontae Davis. The talented corner struggles with consistency, but has elite skills & remains a young player in league terms. If he stays healthy, the Colts will have a difficult decision. Allowing Davis to depart in Free Agency essentially shows the trade wasn't a success. The question is Davis' play, and does it  warrant a 10 Million dollar 2014 commitment. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: RB Maurice Jones-Drew -28- OT Eugene Monroe -26- 
After drafting RT Luke Joeckel 2nd Overall, the logical next step is sliding him to Left Tackle in year 2. On a broken down roster, Monroe is a player amongst the elite at his position. The Franchise Tag could make sense, leading to a Sign & Trade, an extension or 1 more year in Jacksonville. Maurice Jones-Drew is the face of the struggling Franchise, and enters the final year of his deal. He's lobbied publicly for an extension, but nothing has materialized. I believe Jones-Drew will be traded prior to the Deadline, and thus the Tag will not be in the cards. 

Kansas City Chiefs: TE Tony Moeaki -26- & OG Jon Asamoah -25-
Moeaki could thrive in Andy Reid's Offense & warrant a one year Franchise Tag. The Tight End figure is affordable, but logically he'll enter FA as Travis Kelce was selected atop Round 3 & Anthony Fasano was signed this offseason. The second player is talented Guard Jon Asamoah, which presents a tricky situation. The Franchise Tag does not differentiate between Offensive Tackles, Guard & Centers. So keeping an elite young Guard on the Franchise Tag would be difficult, requiring the team to pay him Tackle Money on the interior. 

Miami Dolphins: S Reshad Jones -25- 
One of the leagues top safeties, the 2010 5th Rounder skipped OTAs in a speculated contract standoff. As I've previously reported, Jones' Agent Joel Segal & Capologist Dawn Aponte have had preliminary extension talks. The Dolphins will likely reference the deal Kam Chancellor signed this offseason (4 Years 28.0 M w/ 7.825 M Guaranteed), but Segal will laugh at that framework. He'll seek upper echelon Safety Money (Eric Weddle & Dashon Goldson) for his Client, and it will be a contentious negotiation. That makes the Franchise Tag inevitable. 

New Orleans Saints: TE Jimmy Graham -26- 
Represented by CAAs Jimmy Sexton, the 2010 3rd Rounder will seek a deal comparable to Rob Gronkowski, or potentially more given he's waited until his Free Agency Year. Brees will lobby the organization to retain his favorite target, who he shares representation with. The question is terms of the deal, so the Saints will invariably put the Franchise Tag on Graham to retain exclusive negotiation rights. Don't be surprised in the situation that a Non-Exclusive Tag is utilized, numerous teams could be willing to surrender 2 1st Rounders for the player. That's an unlikely scenario, and I expect Graham & the Saints will reach an extension nearing the 2014 July 15deadline, using significant cap savings on a Brees restructuring to lock-in Graham for 5-6 years. 

New York Giants: WR Hakeem Nicks -25- & S Stevie Brown -26- 
After Cruz reached an extension, the focus shifts to Hakeem Nicks. The question is health, and that will be answered during the season. If he reverts to the form of the 2011 playoff run, the Giants will be hard pressed to let Nicks hit the open market. That would make the Franchise Tag a logical solution, which opens a window to broker an extension with Agent Peter Peter Schaffer. If Nicks were retained prior to the league year commencing, Stevie Brown could be retained on the Franchise Tag Tender. But it's unlikely, as the Giants rarely use the Franchise Tag instrument. 

Oakland Raiders: OT Jared Veldheer -26- & DL Lemarr Houston -26- 
After years of draft blunders in Al Davis' latter years, Veldheer & Houston remain the two major hits. Veldheer has developed into a top 12 Left Tackle, and could be a Tag Candidate if a longterm deal isn't' consummated. He's the priority over Houston, who could also be a Franchise Tag candidate in the circumstance that Veldheer is extended during the 2013 season. I've heard there's interest internally with the Raiders & that they've reached out his representatives at Priority Sports. 

Philadelphia Eagles: WR Jeremy Maclin -25- 
Durability is the question mark, and is the team willing to commit major money to the receiving corps? Agents Ben Dogra & Tom Condon have already floated extension interest, but the team will force Maclin to prove his worth prior considering a pact. If he has a huge year in Chip Kelly's offense, the tag could be utilized. 

San Diego Chargers: WR Danario Alexader -25- 
One of the pleasant 2012 surprises, the released WR found a home with the Chargers. He fits the big & physical mold the organization previously coveted, and could warrant the Franchise Tag is he continues to outpace expectations. It's really unbelievable that a player picked up off the scrap heap outpaced two players paid handsomely in Floyd & Meachem.

San Francisco 49ers: S Donte Whitner -28- 
Highly unlikely, but nothings outside the realm of possibility in the way respected cap guy Paraag Marathe & GM Trent Baalke manage resources. Whitner is the leader on the backend that would more logically be extended longterm if he's deemed irreplaceable. I expect the tag won't ultimately be utilized, and he'll enter the FA foray. 

Seattle Seahawks: WR Golden Tate -25- 
Similar to 49ers Donte Whitner, it's highly unlikely, but the Seahawks have been outside the box thinkers since Pete Carroll took over. Tate's representative Todd France voiced interest in an extension this offseason, but it was after the Harvin acquisition, and the interest didn't appear mutual. It's likely that Tate enters Free Agency & lands elsewhere given the teams commitment to other wideouts. 

St. Louis Rams: OT Rodger Saffold -25- 
2010 2nd Rounder Rodger Saffold voiced displeasure about shifting to RT after the Jake Long signing. He'll be eligible for Free Agency next offseason, and if the Rams take the major step many anticipate, the Rams could deem him irreplaceable. Remember- Fisher had to premier offensive tackles in his Tennessee days and the savings from cutting Scott Wells and/or Harvey Dahl could be logically applied to a Saffold extension. 

Tennessee Titans: WR Kenny Britt -24- 
Kenny Britt has all the talent, but has off the field issues that cannot go by the waist side. It appears the Titans selected Justin Hunter 34th Overall after a trade up to replace Britt in 2014, pairing him with 2012 1st Rounder Kendall Wright. But his play could warrant a Franchise Tag, though it's very unlikely. 

Washington Redskins: LB Brian Orakpo -26- 
Landed on IR after a Week 2 Pectoral injury, but showed the skills of an elite edge rusher in his first 3 seasons. The Redskins will pair him opposite Kerrigan for 2013. It's a tricky situation because Orakpo is represented by CAA, who also work on behalf of RGIII & new Client Trent Williams. The Redskins have a strong working relationship with CAA, and will likely seek an extension if he can revert to form. But to ensure negotiations are exclusive, the Franchise Tag would be logical. 


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