NFL Franchise Tag Tracker 2020: Which players have been tagged?

The NFL franchise tag deadline for 2020 will be on Monday, March 16 at noon ET, so which players have teams decided to not allow to hit free agency?

In the final year under the current CBA agreement, the NFL franchise tag allows teams to place the tag on pending free agents. The tag thus puts the player on a one-year deal should they play under the NFL franchise tag but it also give teams until July 15 to work out a long-term deal while other teams in the league can’t negotiate with the player. Therein lies the rub of why many teams look to use the tag.

Ahead of 2020 NFL free agency, amidst a slew of different circumstances (not limited to the coronavirus outbreak and a new CBA being negotiated), the NFL franchise tag deadline has been pushed back to Monday, March 16 at noon ET, which is the day the legal tampering period for free agency begins.

So with a slew of big-name free agents set to hit the market, let’s keep track of who has already been hit with the franchise tag and by which team, and also take a brief look at the players who that decision could be coming for as well (though we can’t totally be sure).

Players who have been franchise tagged

Shaquil Barrett, EDGE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Everything we heard pointed to the Buccaneers wanting to keep Shaquil Barrett on the roster after he exploded with a monster 2019 season on a one-year deal. The franchise tag seemed like the best option for them to retain his services and, perhaps, he can now work out a new deal with Tampa Bay or play one essentially a one-year “prove it” deal again.

Kenyan Drake, RB – Arizona Cardinals (Transition Tag)

Perhaps the biggest shocker of NFL franchise tag bonanza was the Cardinals electing to put the transition tag on Kenyan Drake. He exploded once he got to Arizona but the price tag they’ll now pay with the ability to match any offer could be substantial and they’ve already committed a ton of money to David Johnson.

Bud Dupree, EDGE – Pittsburgh Steelers

Former first-round pick Bud Dupree had a breakout year with the Steelers in 2019, posting 11.5 sacks. While that’s his first year of living up to the hype, they’ll pay him handsomely to see if he can replicate that in hopes of then working out a new deal that would start in the 2021 season.

A.J. Green, WR – Cincinnati Bengals

After reports that the Bengals were likely going to use the tag on A.J. Green, they ultimately did. While that probably wouldn’t be the course of action that I would choose, they’re looking to retain a receiving corps with Joe Burrow coming into town.

Anthony Harris, S – Minnesota Vikings

Anthony Harris is coming off of a career year with Minnesota and was sure to get a ton of interest throughout the league if he hit the open market. Instead, the Vikings ensure that he’s staying in the Twin Cities for at least the 2020 season.

Derrick Henry, RB – Tennessee Titans

One of the couple of options that the Titans had with the franchise tag was Derrick Henry. The NFL’s rushing champion from the 2019 season has become a stud running back in the league and Tennessee needed to keep him around, which they were freed up to do after agreeing to a long-term deal with Ryan Tannehill.

Hunter Henry, TE – Los Angeles Chargers

Though he’s been oft-injured, Hunter Henry has proven to be one of the more talented tight ends with the Chargers over his career. Coming off of a strong season with over 50 receptions, over 600 yards and five scores, Los Angeles locking up a key piece of their offense on the NFL franchise tag seems like a wise option.

Matthew Judon, EDGE – Baltimore Ravens

If Matthew Judon were to leave the Ravens in free agency, it would leave Baltimore in a tough spot at that position. They could still look to try and trade him but Judon has plenty of juice behind him and the Ravens should be able to find a partner to make a deal.

Yannick Ngakoue, EDGE – Jacksonville Jaguars

From the moment that he was selected in the third round, Yannick Ngakoue has been a productive pass-rusher for the Jaguars. While he’s made it clear that he doesn’t plan to stay in Jacksonville long-term, the franchise tag gives the Jags the ability to trade him to recoup some value for losing Ngakoue.

Dak Prescott, QB – Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott has been the talk of the 2020 NFL offseason and for good reason. There seems to be little chance he’s leaving the Cowboys. But getting a long-term deal in place was unable to happen before the NFL franchise tag deadline, leading to him being hit with the tag.

Brandon Scherff, OG – Washington Redskins

A former first-round pick and one of the best guards in the NFL, the Redskins rebuild apparently has keeping Brandon Scherff in the plan. They’ll reportedly be looking to work out a long-term deal with Scherff rather than just letting him play on the tag — which is not uncommon in Washington (Kirk Cousins, anyone?).

Justin Simmons, S – Denver Broncos

Justin Simmons has emerged as one of the best safeties in the NFL with the Broncos and using the franchise tag to retain him and possibly work out a new deal was the best option for both the player and for Denver.

Joe Thuney, OG – New England Patriots

While not many people projected it, the Patriots retaining Joe Thuney on the franchise tag is good business. He’s become one of the best offensive guards in the NFL and, whether it’s Tom Brady or someone else at quarterback, keeping Thuney as a protector is the right choice by New England.

Next. NFL Free Agency: One player each team should sign. dark

Leonard Williams, DL – New York Giants

When the Giants traded two mid-round picks for Leonard Williams with the playoffs not in their sight, it was a questionable move as it gave Williams all the leverage to negotiate a new contract. The end result here as Big Blue can’t let him go after what they paid in the trade is the franchise tag.

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