Which NFL Players Are Likely To Get 2023 Franchise Tag?

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Believe it or not, the 2023 NFL offseason is nearing its raucous start. Like last season, some well-known names are going to be switching teams. A good deal of those moves will be expected. Though, there could always be a shocker that grabs the headlines.

Before we get to the official start of the 2023 league year, teams will have the opportunity to franchise tag players, if they so choose. For those that are unaware, the franchise tag can help a team keep one of its pending free agents from freely negotiating with other suitors. Meanwhile, the initial contract offer from that player’s team is for one year, if they receive the tag. However, teams have until July 15 to get a long-term extension done, after they have franchise tagged a player.

This year, teams have a two-week window from Tuesday, February 21 to Tuesday, March 7 to designate franchise tags. We have seen around eight or nine players receive tags in the last couple of years. Honestly, some players that received the franchise tag last year, may soon be hit with it again this season.

Today, we will list the top names that appear most likely to receive the franchise tag for 2023. Not all candidates will be listed. However, these are the top eight names that feel most likely to get tagged. Let’s kick it off.

2023 Franchise Tag Salaries, via Albert Breer:

The NFL informed teams of the 2023 franchise tag numbers today. And here they are …

QB: $32,416,000
RB: $10,091,000
WR: $19,743,000
TE: $11,345,000
OL: $18,244,000
DE: $19,727,000
DT: $18,937,000
LB: $20,926,000
CB: $18,140,000
S: $14,460,000
K/P: $5,393,000

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 30, 2023

Most Likely Tag Candidates

QB Lamar Jackson- Baltimore Ravens

This list was done in no particular order. But, is there any player more likely to get franchise tagged than Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson? Jackson and the Ravens have had the eligibility to work out a long-term extension for just about 25 months. Yet, no deal has been reached. With no agent in place, Jackson essentially represents himself. In the meantime, he has reportedly turned down past contract offers from Baltimore. And despite his dazzling play, the Louisville product has unfortunately suffered devastating lower-body injuries in each of the last two seasons.

As a result, his production has been hurt in recent years. More importantly, his leverage in contract negotiations, especially with guaranteed money, has taken a bigger hit, due to his lack of durability. There is no denying the brilliant instincts, touch as a passer and speed as a rusher that Jackson has when available. But beyond his durability, there appears to be some items that Jackson does not like about the Ravens moving forward.

At this point, it would not be surprising to see him wear a different uniform in the future. That seemed laughable to say just a year ago. Nevertheless, Jackson has been clear in his messaging and with what he wants from Baltimore. If he gets tagged, it feels like a difficult standoff will occur this offseason.

OT Orlando Brown Jr.- Kansas City Chiefs

If Orlando Brown Jr. does receive the franchise tag, it would be the second consecutive offseason in which that took place. Brown Jr. reportedly turned down a long-term offer last summer, one that would have made him one of the highest-paid players at his position. In both years with Kansas City, he has had a bit of a slow start. His weakness against speed rushers is well documented. On the other hand, Brown Jr. has showed up and came through when it mattered most late in the regular season or in the playoffs.

Brown Jr. has always dreamt of playing left tackle, growing up as the son of a legendary blocker. It just seems like he and the Chiefs are in the exact same situation that they were in last offseason. The team and players appear evident that they want him to be in Kansas City. Accordingly, Brown Jr. takes pride in blocking for Patrick Mahomes. Though, the contract is a challenging dispute for a player that really has not played left tackle for too long.

RB Josh Jacobs- Las Vegas Raiders

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There are just certain positions that seem to go off in contract years. Running backs are one of the few that appear to do that the most often of anybody. In a contract year, Josh Jacobs had a magical season for the Las Vegas Raiders. He led the league in rushing yards (1,653), rushing yards per game (97.2), touches (393) and scrimmage yards (2,053) in 2022. All of those marks were also new single-season career highs for those categories. To boot, Jacobs finished with new single-season career highs in yards per carry (4.9), receiving yards (400) and yards per touch (5.2).

Given how essential the running game is to head coach Josh McDaniels‘ offense, it would not be surprising to see Jacobs get tagged. He could be a major engine for the Raiders in the next couple of years. That is especially true, given the upcoming change at quarterback under McDaniels. Whether Vegas adds a veteran or a rookie at quarterback, Jacobs could be a nice weapon to keep around.

DL Daron Payne- Washington Commanders

Even though he is a former first-round pick, Daron Payne is probably someone who does not receive enough national attention. On a Washington defensive line that was banged up for 2022, Payne set some new single-season career highs. This includes 64 combined tackles, 20 quarterback hits, 18 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and five passes defensed. Overall, Payne can make an impact against both the run and the pass, while still flashing tremendous movement skills for a 320-pound player.

The Commanders have taken a lot of pride in building a dominant defensive line. With more health, more consistency and a Payne return, Washington could be a pest to deal with next season. In a competitive NFC East, this team has been close to making the playoffs. Will a Payne return spark enough magic for the Commanders to get over the hump?

RB Saquon Barkley- New York Giants

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The New York Giants have a ton of tough decisions to make. Beginning with the franchise tag, two offensive pieces are prime candidates. Will it be quarterback Daniel Jones or running back Saquon Barkley? Both players have had their fair share of ups and downs. For Jones, turnovers and decision making plagued his first couple of years as a starting quarterback. As for Barkley, past injuries have dealt him a difficult hand as well. But in 2022, New York did way more than most people predicted. The duo of Jones and Barkley were at the forefront of that success.

Since teams can only use a franchise tag on one player in a single offseason, this is one of the most challenging teams to predict. When it comes to the tag, it feels like one of these players will ultimately receive it. If we had to list who is more likely to get tagged, Barkley seems more realistic. For one, the franchise tag salary is around $22 million less for running backs, compared to quarterbacks. There are many different ways as to how the Giants could create a contract for Jones, assuming he is back. Barkley can bet on himself for one year and look to cash in massively next offseason.

RB Tony Pollard- Dallas Cowboys

Believe it or not, we have a third running back that made this list. Tony Pollard would surely get plenty of monstrous contract offers from new teams on the open market. As much as the Cowboys could let him walk for nothing, Pollard is arguably one of the best playmakers that Dallas has. It would be more taxing to replace his production than most would likely think. As a runner, he can slash in between defenders, make tacklers miss and outrace almost anyone in the open field. Moreover, Pollard is a superb pass catcher. He makes it look too natural for a pass catching running back, while still being a fluid route runner and efficient after the catch.

Dallas can only go so long with having Ezekiel Elliott in the offense. Frankly, Elliott is a minimized skill set that lacks any burst that he once had. It may be time for the Cowboys to say goodbye, while making him a cap casualty. Perhaps giving the full reins to Pollard and bringing him back, is Dallas’ best-case scenario at running back.

TE Evan Engram- Jacksonville Jaguars

Evan Engram could be less likely to be tagged than some of the names above. However, there is still a great possibility that he ultimately gets the franchise tag from the Jacksonville Jaguars. 2022 was by far a career-best campaign for Engram. After five years of struggles and inconsistency with the Giants, Engram had 73 catches, 766 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in his first season with the Jaguars last year.

Doug Pederson loves his tight ends. While Engram may not be a traditional build or style at the position, he was a security blanket for Trevor Lawrence. The tight end position has the third-lowest franchise tag salary. With that and Engram’s production from last season in mind, the Jaguars may look to keep him from hitting the open market.

QB Geno Smith- Seattle Seahawks

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Like Engram, Geno Smith is a tougher case to identify, compared to other names above. The Seattle Seahawks and Smith may want to iron out an extension that re-signs him for a few years or so. After all, the West Virginia product looked calm, cool and collected for most of the 2022 season. That was the first time in which he was a primary starting quarterback since 2014. After many years as a journeyman, backup quarterback, Smith led the NFL in completion percentage (69.8) and threw for 30 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions.

There are a few reasons as to why a franchise tag may make sense for Seattle. For starters, Smith ended the year much shakier than he started it. His small sample size of success could also be a slight area of caution to consider. All in all, Smith could also be looking to raise his price tag considerably for a long-term deal. That could force the Seahawks to go with the one-year franchise tag, if negotiations grow out of their desired price range.

Be on the lookout for more FPC NFL articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.