NFL franchise tag tracker 2022: Which players are getting the tag?

NFL franchise tag; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
NFL franchise tag; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (14) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Which players around the NFL are getting the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday afternoon’s NFL franchise tag deadline with free agency looming?

The NFL franchise tag is an extremely valuable tool for teams being able to keep their star players around. It’s expensive, but even as spendy as the franchise tag can be, it’s also not something players want.

Getting slapped with the franchise tag prevents players from hitting the open NFL Free Agency market, where they could get twice as much guaranteed money, or more.

Which teams are using the franchise tag and what players are getting tagged in 2022?

2022 NFL Franchise Tag Deadline Tracker

Miami Dolphins: Mike Gesicki, TE

There are quite a few tight ends getting the franchise tag in 2022 because this is a loaded free agent class at the position, and the tight end tag number is only $10.6 million.

Mike Gesicki is going to be a huge focus for new head coach Mike McDaniel and assistant coach Jon Embree.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Cam Robinson, OT

This one is certainly an interesting one.

Are the Jaguars tagging Cam Robinson so they can use the number one overall pick on a defensive player? Aidan Hutchinson to Duval County?

We’ll find out soon enough.

Green Bay Packers: Davante Adams, WR

The Packers are running it back with Davante Adams and Aaron Rodgers.

The two biggest players potentially available in the 2022 offseason are now heading back to Green Bay with Rodgers reportedly getting a four-year extension and Adams expected to receive the franchise tag.

The two biggest dominoes of the entire 2022 offseason have fallen. Let the games begin.

Dallas Cowboys: Dalton Schultz, TE

Dalton Schultz had over 800 yards and 8 touchdowns last season for the Dallas Cowboys and could have potentially been one of the top free agent tight ends on the market.

Now, he’s going to be staying with the Dallas Cowboys for the 2022 season, at least, where he will make $10.6 million.

Not a bad pay day, but there’s no question that the tight end franchise tag number is one of the most palatable for teams, which is why it’s been expected that a handful of players in a deep free agent tight end crop could get slapped with it.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin, WR

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are trying to get a long-term deal done with Chris Godwin, but if that doesn’t happen before the 4 PM ET deadline, then Godwin is getting franchise tagged.

For a bit there, I was wondering if we might see cornerback Carlton Davis getting the tag but the Bucs really screwed this whole thing up if Davis gets to the open market.

They have had all offseason to work out a long-term deal with Godwin, even though he’s coming off of an ACL injury.

The franchise tag for Godwin will cost over $19 million because he’s getting a 20 percent increase on last year’s tag number.

Reading the tea leaves here, the Buccaneers are willing to lose Carlton Davis if they can’t get a deal done because keeping Godwin gives them a better chance of convincing Tom Brady to come back.

Kansas City Chiefs: Orlando Brown Jr., OT

The Kansas City Chiefs swung a blockbuster trade for Orlando Brown Jr. last offseason, so there was no doubt they had to find a way to get him back in 2022.

The ultimate goal for the Chiefs and Brown is to get a long-term deal done. As it stands right now, Brown stands to make $16.7 million fully guaranteed on this franchise tag, which will look like a bargain compared to the average annual salary he’s liable to make on a long-term contract.

Cincinnati Bengals: Jessie Bates III, S

Jessie Bates is one of the more underrated players in the NFL right now. Even if you consider his 2021 season a “down” year by comparison to his first few NFL seasons, he’s still one of the better safeties in the league.

The Bengals have no shortage of cap space in 2022 and the franchise tag number for a safety — $13 million — has gone up considerably in recent years.

Bates is a core player for the Bengals so this should ultimately just be a stepping stone toward a long-term deal.

Cleveland Browns: David Njoku, TE

In somewhat of a surprising turn of events, the Cleveland Browns now seem very committed to David Njoku.

When Kevin Stefanski was hired as head coach, the Browns went out and signed free agent tight end Austin Hooper to a big-money deal, and then drafted Harrison Bryant.

It looked like Njoku was out of the picture but he had a good 2021 season after rescinding a trade demand and now he’s getting slapped with the franchise tag.

Again, the tight end franchise tag number at $10.6 million is extremely palatable, especially to teams with a lot of cap space, which the Browns have.