NFL franchise-tag deal deadline winners, losers: Unhealthy day for backs
The NFL’s annual deadline for franchise-tagged gamers to signal long-term contract extensions expired at 4 p.m. ET on Monday. Whereas three of those standouts had already reeled in new offers, New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley, Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs and Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard are actually ineligible for multiyear preparations till the completion of the 2023 common season – successfully signaling all three are nearly actually headed at no cost company in 2024.
With the four-month franchise tag course of now full, who got here out on prime? And who didn’t? The winners and losers lengthen a bit extra broadly than you may suppose:
LOSERS
Daniel Jones: After taking a big step ahead in 2022, the Giants quarterback averted a tag in March, as a substitute landing a four-year, $160 million contract a yr after New York declined the fifth-year choice on his rookie contract … whereas relegating Barkley to franchise participant standing. However coming off a wild-card run below first-year head coach Brian Daboll, Jones and Co. can’t ensure when Barkley – clearly this offense’s simplest weapon after main it with 1,650 yards from scrimmage and 57 receptions final season – will present up or what his frame of mind can be after failing to safe a dedication from the group. Given Barkley accounted for almost 30% of Huge Blue’s offense a yr in the past, regardless of lacking a recreation, official considerations right here.
Raiders: They’re in an analogous boat because the Giants with Jacobs – he led the NFL in dashing yards (1,653) and yards from scrimmage (2,053) in 2022 – nowhere to be seen for the reason that finish of final season. And with All-Professional WR Davante Adams expressing misgivings concerning the Silver and Black’s course in the course of the offseason and newly signed QB Jimmy Garoppolo unable to practice in the course of the spring following foot surgical procedure, a crew already in transition appears to be in peril of an early burial within the loaded AFC.
Fantasy soccer house owners: With Barkley and Jacobs, most likely top-five fantasy picks in most leagues, sad and below no obligation to report for coaching camp – neither has signed his one-year tag tender – fantasy house owners, particularly these drafting in early to mid-August, can be confronted with fairly the conundrum. Heck, even the three-year contract Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram struck over the weekend muddies the outlook for Jags wideouts, given there are many mouths to feed in Duval County when factoring in Christian Kirk, Zay Jones and Calvin Ridley, who returns from his 2022 playing suspension, to say nothing of multi-threat RB Travis Etienne.
Operating backs: Financially, only a horrible time to play this place except you’re the uncommon hybrid who might additionally star as a slot receiver (learn: Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara, the one two backs with contracts that common greater than $13 million). Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard, all slated to make $10.1 million in 2023, are tied for seventh in common annual compensation amongst runners, behind the likes of the Inexperienced Bay Packers’ Aaron Jones and Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Mixon, who simply had a pay minimize pressured on him. Oh, by the best way, none of this bodes properly at no cost brokers like Dalvin Cook dinner, Ezekiel Elliott or Leonard Fournette.
WINNERS
Defensive linemen: The backs could rating the touchdowns, however it’s the massive boys within the trenches who’ve been getting paid. It began with Washington Commanders DT Daron Payne, who raked in a four-year, $90 million payday in March, shortly after he was tagged. He was on the vanguard for his friends, DL Javon Hargrave (49ers), Dexter Lawrence (Giants), Jeffery Simmons (Titans) and Quinnen Williams (Jets) all minted with new mega pacts averaging no less than $21 million yearly. That’s excellent news for Kansas Metropolis Chiefs All-Professional Chris Jones, who ought to quickly vault forward of Williams to change into the richest inside D-lineman within the league not named Aaron Donald.
Dalvin Cook dinner suitors: He’s simply essentially the most outstanding free agent in the marketplace after the Minnesota Vikings minimize ties with the four-time Professional Bowl again in June for monetary causes. Per experiences, Cook dinner has a proposal in hand from the Miami Dolphins with the Jets, amongst different groups, purportedly considering his companies. He’ll likely be a beneficial commodity for some contender – and apparently in a purchaser’s market that doesn’t appear prone to reward him considerably after the Vikes terminated a contract extension that was alleged to common $12.6 million.
Lamar Jackson: And the Baltimore Ravens famous person and 2019 unanimous league MVP is the large winner among the many gamers who obtained a franchise tag in March. Sure, it can still be argued that Jackson would have been better served to sign an extension two years in the past – like 2018 draft mate Josh Allen of the Buffalo Payments – and let his riches begin accruing curiosity whereas working towards contract No. 3. However give Jackson, who doesn’t have an agent, credit score for locating the deal he wished – a five-year, $260 million windfall that confers the league’s largest common annual wage ($52 million) and a $185 million assure that ain’t too shabby. Now, right here’s hoping the sublimely gifted twin risk can keep wholesome in 2023 whereas thriving in Baltimore’s revamped offense.
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Observe USA TODAY Sports activities’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.
