Just hours before the franchise tag deadline Tuesday, the Los Angeles Rams made the hard choice, placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner. The move will make wide receiver Sammy Watkins a free agent when the new league year begins.
Los Angeles traded a 2018 second-round pick for Watkins shortly before the 2017 season.
#LARams have placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on Lamarcus Joyner. pic.twitter.com/kjhxt4Tsqe
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 6, 2018
Joyner enjoyed the best season of his career as the Rams’ full time free safety in Wade Phillips’ defense. He recorded 49 tackles, one forced fumble, nine passes defended and three interceptions. He returned one for a touchdown. If he signs his franchise tender, Joyner will be guaranteed $11.29 million next season. He’s just 27 years old and L.A. drafted him in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Just because the Rams didn’t tag Watkins doesn’t mean he’s on the way out of Los Angeles. According to the NFL Network, the Rams will be working hard on a deal with Watkins before free agency begins. Watkins caught 39 passes for 593 yards and eight touchdowns last season as it took him a while to really mesh with the offense after getting acquired so late in the off-season. Watkins really made an impact late in the year and will certainly be due a break-out 2018 if he stays in L.A. with Rams head coach Sean McVay.
If Rams use franchise tag today it will be on safety Lamarcus Joyner. WR Sammy Watkins won't get tagged. Team would like to keep both
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 6, 2018
By placing the non-exclusive tag on Joyner, he can still negotiate a contract with another team, but they will then owe the Rams two first round draft picks. That is, unless the Rams and the negotiating team can work out another agreement.
OTHER NEWS
The Jacksonville Jaguars have announced they will not use their franchise tag on wide receiver Allen Robinson. Robinson tore his ACL in the Jaguars’ opening game last season. Before that, the former 2014 second round pick was the team’s most productive wideout. He led the NFL in touchdown receptions with 14 in 2015 and caught 80 passes for 1,400 yards. His 2016 was less impressive, but Jacksonville as a whole was a trainwreck that season. Robinson caught 73 passes for 883 yards and six touchdowns.
The #Jaguars have informed WR Allen Robinson that they won’t be applying the franchise or transition tag, I’m told. The team has until March 12 to work out a deal before he’s a free agent.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2018
Chris Ivory is no longer unemployed. The Buffalo Bills signed Ivory to a two-year, $5.5 million contract Tuesday with $3.25 million guaranteed. Ivory was the odd-man out in the Jacksonville Jaguars backfield last season, carrying the ball 112 times for 382 yards and one touchdown. He caught 21 passes for 175 yards and a score.
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