Tag day in NFL … The new NFL football year doesn’t officially get under for another three weeks, but it really begins today which is the first day that teams can apply a franchise or transition tag to impending free agents. Franchised players are tagged either with an exclusive or non-exclusive designation. Most get the non-exclusive version which means they will get the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position over the last five years, or 120% of their previous salary, whichever is greater. Non-exclusive tagged players, though, can negotiate with other teams, but their current team can match any offer; if they don’t match they will get two first-round draft picks as compensation from the signing team. The exclusive tag differs from the non-exclusive in that the tagging team retains the sole right to negotiate with the player, but must pay the player the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position for the current year, or 120% of their previous salary, whichever is greater. Meanwhile, the transition tag allows the tagging team to match any offer the player might receive from another club; however, there is no compensation if they do not match. With the transition tag the player is awarded the average of the top 10 salaries at the position. Teams have until March 5th to designate players with one of the tags. Of course, not every team uses a tag, but it appears there are a number who will at least be considered for designation including Cincinnati WR Tee Higgins, ERs Brian Burns of Carolina and Jacksonville’s Josh Allen, DB Jaylon Johnson of Chicago. NY Giants RB Saquon Barkley (again), as well as both QB Baker Mayfield and S Antoine Winfield of Tampa Bay.
