For teams looking to add Jarvis Landry to their squad next season, it’ll cost them at least two first round picks after the Miami Dolphins placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on the wide receiver. If he signs it, he’ll be guaranteed at least $16 million next season.
We have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Jarvis Landry.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 21, 2018
The non-exclusive tag allows Landry to negotiate a new, long-term deal with any other team, but it gives the Dolphins the opportunity to match it. If they choose not to match it, then the signing team would be forced to give Miami their next two first round picks. It’s a hefty price tag for a good wideout, but one that’s hardly Julio Jones or Antonio Brown.
Last season Landry caught 112 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. It was the first season since his rookie year he didn’t surpass 1,000 yards.
Does that mean Landry will be a Dolphin for sure? Not entirely. While two first rounders, or even one, are a lot to surrender for Landry, it won’t keep other teams for now negotiating with Miami for his rights. A team could get a long-term deal together with Landry, then basically offer the Dolphins a more realistic trade for his services. They get Landry still on the franchise tag and he then immediately signs the new, long-term deal.
https://twitter.com/finszone/status/965302900472864768
Tuesday was the first day a team could use any franchise tag and Landry is the first player officially tagged. There are three different tags available, the aforementioned non-exclusive, the exclusive and the transition tag. The exclusive tag only allows the player to negotiate with his current team but guarantees him the average of the top five players’ salaries at his position or 120 percent of his current salary, whichever is greater. The non-exclusive, as stated above, lets the player negotiate with any team with his parent team holding a right to match. It promises him a one-year salary based on on the average salary cap hit of the top five players at his position or that same 120 percent deal.
A transition tag pays the player the average of the top 10 salaries at his position or 120 percent of his previous year’s salary, whichever is greater. The transition tag gives the parent team the right to match the player’s new contract, but they get no compensation if they choose not to.
Teams have until March 6 to designate all their tags.
WHO ELSE MIGHT GET TAGGED?
DeMarcus Lawrence, DE, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have been dying for a consistent pass rush for years and Lawrence gave them one right at the best possible time for him to cash in. He made his first Pro Bowl and recorded 14.5 sacks, 58 tackles, one pass defense, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
Cowboys will not place franchise tag on DeMarcus Lawrence tomorrow as that window opens but will do so by March 6 w/ understanding the goal is to reach a long-term deal. Both sides have until July 16 to make that happen.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) February 19, 2018
Ezekiel Ansah, DE, Detroit Lions
Ansah bounced back after a disastrous 2016 just in time to count out some dollar bills. While Lawrence has a chance at an exclusive tag, I can’t see the Lions betting anything more than a non-exclusive for Ansah and maybe working a trade if someone really bites on him. Last year Ansah had 12 sacks, 44 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
Sammy Watkins, WR, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams traded a 2018 second round pick for Watkins’ services and aren’t likely to let him walk after a single year. While he managed just 583 yards receiving, he caught eight touchdowns and became more of a weapon in the offense as the year progressed. It’ll be worth $16 million to kick his tires again.
Where Sammy Watkins found success in 2017! pic.twitter.com/iJ5LUgYEyg
— PFF (@PFF) February 20, 2018
Le’Veon Bell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bell, if he plays on the tag this season, will make $14.5 million. That’s a ton for a running back, but the team has made it clear they want to work out a long term deal with the perennial Pro Bowler. Last season Bell rushed for 1,291 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 85 passes for 655 yards.
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