It's Tagging Time

The players voting for the CBA over the weekend allows the NFL's 2020 free agency to proceed under new rules. The legal tampering of potential free agents begins today at noon ET. Teams have until one minute before that to slap the franchise tag on one of their soon-to-be free agents. Seven teams have already done so:

Baltimore Ravens-Matthew Judon, LB
Denver Broncos-Justin Simmons, S
Jacksonville Jaguars-Yannick Ngakoue, DE
Kansas City Chiefs-Chris Jones, DT
Los Angeles Chargers-Hunter Henry, TE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Shaquil Barrett
Washington Redskins-Brandon Scherff, G

More players can expect their teams to restrict their movement in a similar fashion over the next couple of hours. Some of the most likely:

Dallas Cowboys-Dak Prescott, QB
Cincinnati Bengals-A.J. Green, WR
New York Giants-Leonard Williams, DL
Pittsburgh Steelers-Bud Dupree, Edge
San Francisco 49ers-Arik Armstead, DL
Tennessee Titans-Derrick Henry, RB

There's some talk that the Titans could choose to tag offensive tackle Jack Conklin rather than their beast of a back. For now, I'm going with the player that makes their offense go.

I've yet to see a reporting of this year's franchise tag numbers (the CBA uncertainty likely prevented that). Former agent Joel Corry recently posted these projections on Twitter:

QB: $26.824M
RB: $10.278M
WR: $17.865M
TE: $10.607M
OL: $14.781M
DE: $17.788M
DT: $16.126M
LB: $15.829M
CB: $$16.338M
S: $11.441M
P/K: $5.105M

It's a mystery as to why the NFL sees fit to break down the defensive line positions but not the offensive line positions. The same goes for the linebackers and the linebackers that do nothing but rush the passer. Just make it an edge position!

It's tagging time!

There has been some belly-aching from many talking heads over free agency beginning on time at this chaotic time. My first thought is "I have to go to work." Most of the people that are complaining are still working. The world hasn't completely stopped. The world can't completely stop. If everyone involved in the free agency process is being smart, doing things the right way, following imposed and self-imposed restrictions, why not do what can still be done? Besides, maybe we can use a little bit of a distraction right now. One other thing, it's been reported that the NFLPA wanted to start free agency as scheduled. So, those that are criticizing the NFL for not delaying the start of free agency should redirect their rage.

Update: In another example of “he said, she said” NFLPA’s DeMaurice Smith said that the NFL didn’t ask for player’s input on the start of free agency. It looks like this decision is on the NFL. Still, I agree with the decision to start free agency. IF everyone is smart about it and take proper and prescribed precautions. I’ll be following free agency FROM WORK. Someone has to do it.