Staring on Monday, all 32 NFL teams began their roster evaluation process, also beginning the process of assigning the teams franchise tag. The franchise tag is essentially used for a player the team wants to sign, but cannot agree on long term details for.
With an estimated $143 million salary cap for each team in the 2015 season, NFL’s Albert Breer has compiled the first projections of what it would cost for a team to use its tag.
Quarterbacks: $18.51 million
Defensive ends: $14.78 million
Linebacker: $13.17 million
Cornerback: $13.05 million
Offensive line: $12.92 million
Wide Receivers: $12.8 million
Defensive Tackle: $11.17 million
Running Backs: $10.93 million
Safety: $9.6 million
Tight ends: $8.33 million
Kicker/Punter: $4.12 million
However, their is a stipulation to these figures. If 120% of a player’s 2014 cap figure is greater than the 2015 tag price, it will be the new number used if a franchise tag is applied. Currently, Ndamukong Suh would cost the Detroit Lions $26.898 million due to the fact that his 2014 cap salary is larger than the $11.17 million tag for defensive tackles.
Getting tagged recently in the NFL doesn’t always bode well for a long term deal however. Over the last two seasons, only 3 of the 12 players who have been franchise tagged have gotten long-term deals done. Those players are Saints TE Jimmy Graham, Jets K Nick Folk and Broncos LT Ryan Clady.
Source: NFL