2022 Franchise Tags: Adams, Gesicki, Godwin, Robinson
NFL Offseason - Here's our annual thread for discussing all the franchise tag decisions, which need to be made before Tuesday at 4pm Eastern time. The first announced franchise tag goes to Kansas City left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., who made his third Pro Bowl last year in his first season with the Chiefs after a trade from the Baltimore Ravens.
Cleveland tight end David Njoku is a somewhat surprising franchise tag. He had 475 receiving yards last year, which didn't even put him in the top 20 for tight ends. Njoku has been negotiating a long-term extension with the Browns so this tag may just be a placeholder until they can finish that deal.
Cincinnati has tagged star safety Jessie Bates III.
Miami tagged tight end Mike Gesicki. This will be an interesting argument because Gesicki lined up in the slot or wide on roughly 85% of his snaps last year, but the difference between the tight end tag and the wide receiver tag is roughly $8 million per year.
Dallas tagged tight end Dalton Schultz. That makes three tight ends! It's not too tough to give that tag, under $11 million.
Ian Rapoport reports that the Buccaneers will give the franchise tag to wide receiver Chris Godwin for the second straight year unless they can work out a new contract by 4pm Tuesday.
Jacksonville tagged left tackle Cam Robinson, also for the second straight year.
The Packers will be tagging wide receiver Davante Adams.
Comments
6 comments, Last at 07 Mar 2022, 4:51pm
#1 by ImNewAroundThe… // Mar 07, 2022 - 1:48pm
We don't talk enough about how OBJ could be the highest paid OL ever. But until then, it was inevitable with what they gave up for him.
Njoku is interesting. I've been thinking why wouldn't every team at least use the transition tag? I know it's franchise here and that they don't get anything directly but the transition price seems more appropriate and if someone snatches him at a higher price...well ok, it's just Njoku. Unless they don't get a comp pick if he's snatched. I thought the Packers should've did it with Crosby before his last deal (and oh look another Crosby rough patch)
#2 by Bill96744 // Mar 07, 2022 - 3:23pm
The on field catches and yards seem petty small for the franchise numbers. How many O snaps is he on the field? He ranks 11 the on Outsiders list. Seems high ranking. Is he crazy good run blocker (that can't get to $10 mil, though) If he signs it, they can 't take it back, right? Seems like he should sign it in a heart beat. Full guarantee for $10 Mil, right?
Only makes sense if Browns think he will be 2x as good next year. Are they making a chance at QB? What does say, number TE ranked 8 make?
#4 by Bryan Knowles // Mar 07, 2022 - 4:39pm
The 8th highest-paid tight end is now Njoku's teammate Austin Hooper, who makes $10.5 million a year, just under Njoku's tag value of $10.8 million.
This means the Browns will have the second-most money tied up in tight ends in 2022, just behind the Patriots duo of Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith.
#6 by Bryan Knowles // Mar 07, 2022 - 4:51pm
Well, that would depend on how much he re-signed for!
Assuming he had the same $8 million deal he had last year, the Buccaneers would currently be fifth, behind the Patriots, Browns, Ravens and 49ers, slotting in just over the Chiefs.
This is all 2022 cap hit that I'm going with here, so the 49ers are in the top five because George Kittle's extension hits now, while the Chiefs just slip out because Travis Kelce's contract doubles in 2023 instead.