??Draft.....Franchise Tag Players.....Free Agents??

[Greenbacks]

Commanders placing franchise tag on DT Daron Payne.​

The Washington Commanders placed the franchise tag on defensive tackle Daron Payne on Tuesday, making Payne the first player to receive the tag this offseason, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
If Payne plays on the franchise tag, he is projected to receive $18.937 million. Washington remains hopeful that it can sign him to a long-term deal and has until July 17 to do so. After that, the Commanders can't negotiate with him until after the 2023 season.
Payne recorded a career-high 11.5 sacks last season -- three shy of his combined total over his first four seasons. His previous high in sacks was in his rookie season, when he finished with five. Only two defensive tackles posted higher sack totals in 2023: Kansas City's Chris Jones and the New York Jets' Quinnen Williams.
Payne also finished tied for eighth in the NFL -- and second among interior linemen -- with 21 tackles for loss. Teammate Jon Allen recorded 19 tackles for loss along with 6.5 sacks, making this pair arguably the NFL's best defensive interior tandem.
Payne, selected 13th overall in the 2018 draft, has started 75 career games and has not missed a game over the past three seasons. He has forced four fumbles -- recovering the same amount -- in five seasons, though none in the past two.
Payne was named an alternate for the Pro Bowl and was added to the game when others ahead of him could not attend.
Washington signed Allen to an extension before the 2021 season and will soon have two other defensive linemen up for new deals. End Montez Sweat will be a free agent after the season, and the Commanders remain undecided about picking up the fifth-year option on fellow end Chase Young, who played just 12 games the past two years combined because of a torn right ACL and ruptured patellar tendon.

 

[Greenbacks]

Jaguars expected to use franchise tag on TE Evan Engram.​

The Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to place the franchise tag on tight end Evan Engram, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday.
The tight end franchise tag is $11.345 million.
The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Engram, 28, set career highs in catches (73) and receiving yards (766) to go along with four touchdowns last season. Those are the most catches and receiving yards by a tight end in a single season in Jaguars franchise history, surpassing the marks set by Kyle Brady in 2000.
As shown with the Jaguars, Engram is best suited for a system that moves him around the formation, allowing him to either get loose underneath or work the second and third levels of the route tree and run after the catch.
Engram is the fourth tight end in Jaguars franchise history to surpass 50 catches in a season and only the second to surpass 60.
Of his 73 catches, which tied for third among NFL tight ends, 60 came when Engram was lined up in the slot or out wide. Since he entered the NFL in 2017, he ranks fifth among tight ends in receptions (335) and receiving yards (3,594).
The New York Giants drafted Engram 23rd overall in 2017, and he caught 262 passes for 2,828 yards and 16 touchdowns in five seasons. He said he wanted a fresh start and felt that signing with the Jaguars would give him a chance to put up some good numbers in coach Doug Pederson's tight end-friendly offense.
The Jaguars wanted to give him a multiyear deal, but Engram said he only wanted to sign a one-year deal and reevaluate things after the 2022 season. Engram told ESPN during the season that he felt rejuvenated in Jacksonville and wanted to return.

 

[Greenbacks]

Raiders plan to use franchise tag on Josh Jacobs.​

The Las Vegas Raiders are planning to use the franchise tag on defending NFL rushing champion Josh Jacobs for the 2023 season, sources confirmed to ESPN on Friday.
The franchise tag for running backs for the 2023 season will cost $10.09 million. The deadline for teams to use the tag is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
Players on the tag have until mid-July to reach a long-term deal. NFL Network was first to report that the Raiders planned to use the tag on Jacobs.
Jacobs picked a fine time to have a career season after new Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler and new coach Josh McDaniels chose to not pick up his fifth-year option prior to the 2022 season.
All Jacobs did was lead the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards -- joining Marcus Allen (1985) and Clem Daniels (1963 AFL) as the only players in franchise history to win the league rushing title. Jacobs also led the NFL with 2,053 all-purpose yards.
Jacobs, 25, has insisted he was not insulted by the snub.
"I felt like everybody else thought it was more serious of a thing than I did," Jacobs told ESPN during the season. "For me, I'm like, 'OK, that just means I'm going to get paid younger.' ... That was my point of view. I felt like it was a perfect situation because it was all on me, I controlled the narrative at that point. Whatever I did, whether it was good or bad, it would be on me. I kind of liked that. I kind of liked that pressure a little bit."
His monster season in a contract year took his new coach by surprise, too, as McDaniels was used to employing a running back-by-committee approach in his time with the New England Patriots.
At the end of the season, McDaniels said he hoped to re-sign Jacobs, who averaged 3.9 yards after contact, which was tied with the Cleveland Browns' Nick Chubb for the best such mark in the NFL, according to NextGen Stats.
The first-team All-Pro selection also had the NFL's longest run of the season. Jacobs' 86-yard walk-off touchdown in overtime at Seattle on Nov. 27 was the second-longest OT rushing TD in the NFL since 1974, trailing only Garrison Hearst's 96-yard scamper for the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 6, 1998.
Jacobs finished with a franchise-record 303 total yards against the Seahawks.
The 2019 first-round pick carried the ball 340 times and averaged 4.9 yards per carry while scoring 12 TDs in 2022. In doing so, Jacobs became just the 15th running back in NFL history to score at least seven TDs in each of his first four seasons -- 10 of those 15 players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
He also caught 53 passes for a career-high 400 yards last season and his league-high 93 rushing first downs were the most by a Raiders back since 1994.
Jacobs, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, said during Pro Bowl Games week that he preferred a long-term deal.
The hope and the goal," McDaniels said at the NFL combine, "is that he's here for a while."
Added Ziegler: "I'd say the commonality is that we want Josh to be a Raider and that Josh wants to be a Raider, and so that's a really good place to start. Hopefully we'll work to get some common ground here sooner than later."
In 60 career games over four seasons, Jacobs, the No. 24 overall pick of the 2019 draft out of Alabama, has rushed for 4,740 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry, and 40 TDs while catching 160 passes for 1,152 yards and being named to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2022.
The Raiders have used the franchise tag on just five other players in franchise history -- cornerbacks Charles Woodson (2004 and 2005) and Nnamdi Asomugha (2008), defensive lineman Richard Seymour (2010), linebacker Kamerion Wimbley (2011) and safety Tyvon Branch (2012).

 

[HacheMan]

Smart move on Jacobs

 

[MAGAking1]

Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard had a career season in 2022 while racking up 1,007 rushing yards, 371 receiving yards, and 12 total touchdowns. His 5.2 yard per carry average ranked third among qualified running backs. In the wake of that breakout season, the Cowboys need to make a decision about Pollard — whose contract is up.


One option is to give Pollard the franchise tag, which would extend him until next offseason. We’ll break down if that makes sense for the Cowboys and what is expected to happen.


NFL teams were able to start tagging players starting on Tuesday, February 21st with a deadline of March 7th.

Will Tony Pollard receive the franchise tag in 2023?​

UPDATE: The Cowboys are expected to place the franchise tag on Pollard if a deal isn’t agreed to by the Tuesday deadline, per Ian Rapoport.


The answer isn’t straightforward. It’s complicated by the fact that Pollard underwent surgery after sustaining a leg injury against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL playoffs. Pollard is expected to be recovered in time for training camp, but this is a small twist in offseason roadmap for both sides.


If Pollard receives the franchise tag, he’ll be guaranteed just over $10 million next season. It will also give the team a chance to discuss a long-term deal before the next deadline of July 15. If a long-term contract isn’t reach before then, the franchise tag is locked in for the 2023 season.


Early reports suggest that Pollard will indeed receive the franchise tag before March 7. That seems to be the most likely outcome, as the Cowboys seem motivated to retain Pollard for next season — and potentially beyond. After the results he posted last season, it’s hard to blame them.

 

[tallsports]

Raiders were smart to spend that on Jacobs.

As a GM, I would not sign any running back and the rock means any running back to a 2nd contract.

Such an easily replaceable position. Teams realize that running backs even great ones die at 30, yet they haven't realized this about black qb's.

 

[Greenbacks]

Cowboys use franchise tag on RB Tony Pollard.​

FRISCO, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys have placed their franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The 2023 franchise tender for a running back is worth $10.09 million. The deadline for teams to use the franchise tag is Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET.
The Cowboys would like to sign Pollard to a multiyear deal and met with his agent at last week's scouting combine. If they are unable to reach an agreement by July 15, Pollard would have to play the season on the tag.
A fourth-round pick in 2019, Pollard had a breakout year in 2022 and earned a Pro Bowl spot after eclipsing 1,000 yards (1,007) for the first time in his career, although surgery to repair a high-ankle sprain suffered in the playoffs against the San Francisco 49ers kept him out of the Pro Bowl Games festivities.
Pollard, who has the traits of a lead back with a dual-threat upside, is expected to be 100% before the start of training camp. Owner and general manager Jerry Jones said from the combine the injury will not impact the team's desire for a contract.
The decision on Pollard is likely to affect Ezekiel Elliott, who is slated to make $10.9 million and count $16.72 million against the cap in 2023. The Cowboys could approach Elliott regarding a significant pay cut or save $4.8 million with his release. If they designate him a post-June 1 cut, the Cowboys would save $10.9 million against the cap, but Elliott would count roughly $6 million against the 2024 cap.
There was a changing of the guard at running back in 2022 even if Elliott started 14 of the 15 games he played. Pollard also had career highs in carries (193) and touchdowns (12), while his 5.94 yards per touch was the most among NFL running backs with a minimum of 150 touches. Elliott had a career-low 876 yards rushing, missing two games with a knee injury, but scored 12 rushing touchdowns.
In 2019, Elliott signed a six-year extension worth $90 million that included $50 million guaranteed. This is the first year he is not due any guaranteed money in the contract. If the Cowboys decide to move on from Elliott, they have Malik Davis on the roster, but will look to add another running back in the draft or free agency.
While he is known for his speed, Pollard also showed an ability after contact, leading the league with 3.82 yards per rush after the initial hit. His 5.94 yards per touch was most among running backs in the NFL with Christian McCaffrey coming in second at 5.71 yards per touch. Pollard averaged 5.22 yards per carry in 2022, which was third-best among running backs.
There should not be concern over too much work for Pollard. In four seasons, he has 510 carries for 2,616 yards and 121 receptions for 1,008 yards. Elliott had 564 carries in the first two years of his career.
This is the sixth straight year the Cowboys have used the franchise tag, starting with DeMarcus Lawrence in 2018. They used it again on Lawrence in 2019 but were able to reach an agreement on a five-year deal before the July deadline.
In 2020, Dak Prescott played under the tag before getting tagged again in 2021 before agreeing to a four-year, $160 million deal. Last year, tight end Dalton Schultz played on the tag, earning $10.9 million.
With Pollard under the tag in 2023, Schultz will likely hit the open market and find a contract higher than the Cowboys are willing to pay. The Cowboys have also used the tag on Flozell Adams (2002), Ken Hamlin (2008), Anthony Spencer (2012, 2013) and Dez Bryant (2015). They were able to reach long-term deals with Hamlin and Bryant.

 

[Greenbacks]

Geno Smith and the Seattle Seahawks are finalizing a three-year, $105 million extension, sources confirmed to ESPN.

 

[Michelangelo]

Good for Geno. He had a very good year.

 

[Greenbacks]

Retired Philip Rivers contemplating NFL return in new QB free agency wrinkle.

 

[Greenbacks]

QB Baker Mayfield Has Been Linked To Both The Tampa Bay Buccaneers & The San Francisco 49ers In Free Agency.

 

[Greenbacks]

Report: The #Raiders are expected to pursue quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in free-agency,

 

[Greenbacks]

Ravens say talks with Lamar Jackson to go up to tag deadline.​

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens will apparently wait until Tuesday's deadline before placing the franchise tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson.
"Today and up until 3:30 tomorrow, a lot of energy will be utilized in trying to get a deal done," Ravens executive vice president Ozzie Newsome told "The Bernie Kosar Show" on Monday. "If not, we will put the franchise tag on him."
There have been two players to receive the franchise tag on Monday: Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard and Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram. Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne received the franchise tag last week.
But the Ravens will look to use all the available time to try to get a long-term deal done with Jackson before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline. The sides have been unable to reach an agreement after 25 months of negotiations. This would mark the first time in three years that Baltimore has used the franchise tag (linebacker Matthew Judon in 2020).
One of the biggest questions in the NFL this week is whether the Ravens will apply the exclusive or nonexclusive tag on Jackson. The exclusive tag, which is projected to cost $45 million, would allow Baltimore to control Jackson's contract rights in 2023 as well as any trade talks. The nonexclusive tag, which is less expensive at $32.416 million, would allow Jackson to speak to other teams and give the Ravens the right to match any offer sheet or take two first-round picks as compensation for losing Jackson.
At the NFL scouting combine on Wednesday, Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said the team has long prepared for the contingency plans involving Jackson.
"It's not like we didn't know we might be in this position," DeCosta said. "Last year at this time, we talked about it, so we've had a full year to really discuss all the different plans. We'll make the right decision."

 

[MAGAking1]

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

QB Baker Mayfield Has Been Linked To Both The Tampa Bay Buccaneers & The San Francisco 49ers In Free Agency.

View attachment 61611

Mayfield is done…

 

[tallsports]

If you are going to franchise tag someone, put it on a rb or a corner.. A position with a short shelf life that is cheaper than all of the other positions.

I would be the best GM of all time.

 

[Greenbacks]

Falcons in talk for Lamar Jackson

 

[tallsports]

Falcons in talk for Lamar Jackson

How stupid would a team have to be to sign this guy

 

[Greenbacks]

Ravens sent notice to the NFLPA that they placed the $32.41 million non-exclusive franchise tag on QB Lamar Jackson. He now is allowed to negotiate with other teams, but Ravens have right to match any offer sheet he signs or take two first-round picks in return for him.

 

[carlspackler]

Daniel Jones have agreed to a 4 year deal with Giants.