Franchise tag deadline: Predicting what happens​

The deadline for franchise-tagged players to reach long-term deals is Monday, July 17, at 4 p.m. ET. A total of three players -- down from four after Evan Engram and the Jaguars agreed to a new deal on Sunday -- are currently under the tag, and each have a different situation.

Washington Commodes defensive tackle Daron Payne and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson were able to find the lucrative extensions they were after. Will there be another player who secures the deal they are looking for before the deadline? Below, we will attempt to predict what happens with each of the remaining three players who are currently under the franchise tag.

RB Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Well, we certainly learned what the NFL thinks of the running back position this offseason. Dalvin Cook, the only player who has rushed for 1,100 yards while making the Pro Bowl in each of the last four seasons, was released. Austin Ekeler, who has scored more touchdowns than anyone over the last two years, did not get a contract extension and didn't find interest on the trade market. And then there's Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing last year yet was given the franchise tag.

Jacobs wants the money he's deserved after a career year, but I find myself wondering how much he wants his long-term NFL home to be in Vegas. Jacobs discussed potentially playing on the franchise tag in February, and said he would be OK with it if Vegas went out and acquired more help on offense. Instead of Aaron Rodgers, the Raiders brought in Jimmy Garoppolo -- and a not-healthy Jimmy Garoppolo at that. Josh McDaniels didn't have a great season as head coach, and Davante Adams openly admitted he doesn't see eye-to-eye with the front office. Running backs clearly don't have the ability to be picky, but could Jacobs be looking for a change of scenery?

My prediction is that the July 17 deadline comes and goes, and Jacobs ups the ante. He demands a trade. Now, that did not go well for Ekeler, but Jacobs is younger, having just turned 25 in February. It's tough to predict what Jacobs would go for if the Raiders agree to trade him. Maybe a conditional Day 3 pick? That sounds borderline ridiculous for the reigning rushing champion, but let's be real: are the Raiders champing at the bit to lock up Jacobs for multiple years at a high price? I'd keep an eye on the Miami Dolphins if they miss out on Cook.

RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

The Giants chose to extend quarterback Daniel Jones ahead of the franchise-tag deadline instead of Saquon Barkley. The former No. 2 overall pick is reportedly considering a Week 1 holdout, and has made it clear the franchise tag is "undesirable." Barkley is reportedly seeking more than $14 million per year on a new deal, which would make him the third highest-paid running back in the NFL. The Giants have offered up to $19.5 million guaranteed on a long-term deal with an undisclosed amount of years, according to the New York Post.

Barkley is a star, and the Giants value him. Ultimately, I think the holdout talk is posturing. The Giants have momentum going for them coming off of a season in which they made the playoffs for the first time since 2016, and won their first playoff game since Super Bowl XLVI. I predict the two sides will agree to terms on a multi-year deal before the deadline.

RB Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys

The Memphis product earned his first Pro Bowl nod after racking up 1,378 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns. Pollard averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2022, which ranked third in the NFL among running backs. Something to note with Pollard is that he's the only one of these four players to have actually signed his franchise tag. There apparently is "no urgency" between Pollard and the Cowboys to strike that long-term deal, according to CBS Sports salary cap expert Joel Corry. This upcoming season, Pollard is going to be the Cowboys' No. 1 back for the first time, setting the stage for him to have another career year. While he suffered a pretty nasty ankle injury in the playoffs, Pollard is expected to be ready for the season.

TE Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars: New deal reached

As noted above, Engram and the Jags came to terms Sunday on a reported three-year, $41.3 million contract. I have to say, I was a bit surprised Engram was slapped with the tag given there was optimism from both sides that they would be able to agree on a long-term deal. Engram had a career year in 2022, as he caught 73 passes for a career-high 766 yards and four touchdowns. Keep in mind that the tight end market is not exactly "popping" right now: Mike Gesicki and Dalton Schultz certainly did not get the deals they were looking for in free agency. But Engram apparently got what he was seeking.

Classic Rams said:

Nagel I remember seeing his name in the 1983 media guide and knowing he was with Hawaii for some years.

Click to expand...

Yeah, that was one of the oddest situations. I remember watching on NFL on CBS with Brent Musburger, how Georgia Frontier brought in someone to oversee her football operations and spoke about the hiring of Ray Nagel.

Then he became a footnote because Georgia Frontiere did not allow him to do his job, she hired John Robinson without speaking to him and moving forward, Nagel had no power virtually leading him to resign after only one year and heading back to Hawaii to reclaim his former job as Athletic Director.

Ray Nagel, who was hired as the Los Angeles...​

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Ray Nagel, who was hired as the Los Angeles Rams' executive vice-president Thursday, explained what that means on Friday.

'My definition of an executive is someone who makes an independent decision without getting fired for it,' Nagel said at a news conference.

Introduced by team owner Georgia Frontiere, Nagel said he is the Rams' 'chief executive officer,' which makes him accountable only to Frontiere. There will be no general manager; Nagel will be the man in charge of the team's day-to-day operations.

Nagel, lured from his post as University of Hawaii athletic director, said he will be 'very active' in the selection of a new coach to replace the fired Ray Malavasi. The Rams have no timetable for selecting one, he said, but later added: 'I'd prefer to have a coach just as soon as reasonably possible.'

He refused to identify leading candidates for the job, but called Arizona State's Darryl Rogers 'outstanding' and said the Rams would also consider Buffalo Bills Coach -- and former Rams Coach -- Chuck Knox if he could be released from contractual obligations with the Bills.

Nagel also said his hiring might be the end of the Rams' shakeup following their worst season in 20 years. He hinted that administrator of football operations Jack Faulkner and player personnel director John Math would probably remain with the team, although he refused to clarify what their roles might be.

'Throughout the entire organization, as you know, an evaluation is going on,' he said. 'I don't anticipate at this time that there's going to be a great shakeup. We've already had quite a few changes in the organization.'

Nagel also said he would be the one to make the decisions about the upcoming NFL draft. He joked that the Rams would have the inside track to Stanford's All-America quarterback John Elway because: 'He is my son Scott's best friend. They grew up together in Pullman (Wash.).'

Asked about the already overcrowded situation at the quarterback position with Vince Ferragamo and Bert Jones, Nagel said, 'I'll definitely perpetuate the quarterback controversy here. You can't destroy tradition.'

Loyal said:

Fighting in a phone booth....
Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/1000waystod1e/status/1680533587043524608?s=20

Click to expand...

THAT is why I only send Texts

Bring brack Brockers! -lol

thirteen28 said:

Cool, wishlisted this one on Amazon.



I have Hollywood's Team in my Kindle, looking forward to reading that.

This is another one I have my eye on:

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.amazon.com/Team-That-Changed-NFL-Forever-ebook/dp/B097G47Q3C/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&coliid=I2QC7NNA3VUSZU&colid=242V92MM2G5VJ&qid=&sr=


And finally, if you want to read a book of football history about teams other than the Rams, check out The Best Game Ever by Mark Bowden (the Black Hawk down author). Great book about the 1958 NFL Championship game. You'll know it's well written when you are reading the accounts of the game and a sense of suspense wells up in you, even though you already know the eventual outcome.

Click to expand...

My favorite book on the NFL is America's Game. But it has a ton of Rams stuff too.

I saw that Team That Changed the NFL too. Looks interesting.

Ahkello is a boom/bust type of FA signing. He brings experience, size, and speed to CB. Obviously, they are looking at him as a RCB moving Durant to LCB. With Tomlinson as SCB. God knows I'd rather see Witherspoon out there than Kendrick no matter how much Morris likes him. His play is inconsistent which is why he hasn't stuck with any team. He's got the athleticism, speed, and size of a good starting CB but between his nagging hamstring injuries and battered confidence, his play has never maintained a high level of consistency.

He was drafted by the Niners in the third round but he had the length, speed, and athleticism of a much better player than his draft position reflected. Most evaluators dropped him into the late second to the middle of the third round for one reason. He lacked polish and was looked upon as a one year developmental type player. But SF put him out there as a rookie starter and those technique flaws surfaced. Then there were the nagging hamstring injuries. Those combined to put him into the coaching doghouse, much like Morris has done with Rochell. The Steelers saw improvement in his overall play but it was his lack of availability that got him released, much like Terrell Lewis here in LA.

If he can stay healthy for the first time in his career and polish up his game in LA he could be a legit starter for 2 or maybe 3 years or otherwise, he's a one year rental at best.

That many 6th's? That's Viagra for Les.

Merlin said:

This is why I suspect you spent your first paycheck overseas in buy-me-drinky bars.

Click to expand...

Login to view embedded media View: https://youtu.be/EwIEUflY6YI

I feel like Kupp can play a high level longer than most WR's. He's extremely intelligent and knows how to take care of his body the right way. And his game is not predicated on speed like others. When they lost a step its over. The only thing that can derail him the next 3 or 4 years would be injuries.

Alaskan Ram said:

Bonus Points:
Would you rather bone Jennifer Anniston wearing a 49ers Jersey or Martha Stewart wearing a Rams Jersey?

Click to expand...

Easy Jennifer Aniston, cause that Jersey coming off!

Faceplant said:

I like Mike McDaniel, but he comes off as arrogant and annoying in this.... so far at least.

Click to expand...

Yeah he sounds pretty strange.

These guys are pros. They dress well for the show, they have great takes on the team, and they're former greats. It's a winning combination. Best show out there right now on our Rams.

I saw three articles today each involving the Rams trading Stafford, Kupp, and Donald. So tired of this clickbait... cant wait until real football begins again!

Rams8821 said:

Yency Almonte says hello

Click to expand...

One of the few pitchers to actually recover from pitching in Colorado and he only has had one good year since pitching in Colorado

This year he has been pretty bad - but lately he has shown some improvement

I've been doing this thing that I know many do... Smoke some good weed and load up a random song from memory on youtube. Then when it's over I make myself click on some shit on the right side that I have never heard. Usually there's a small group of links like that, the ones I have no idea what they're gonna sound like. Sometimes this will lead you to some crazy places. No, not "furry" porn sites like @Loyal frequents. But just some cool fuckin tunes that are new to you and really damn good.

So figured it would be fun to see where it goes if in a thread we choose something we've never heard and post it here. Has to be something you just discovered prior to posting it. And we can try to do it in a chain, using the song linked before your post as a starting spot on youtube.

Kicking this off... I stumbled onto this artist who I knew his name sounded familiar and then after listening to a few of his songs I realized why. But I had never heard this song, and following this one I discovered I hadn't heard some of his other early ones even a couple that were with the famous band he quit due to LSD usage. Good times and enjoy.

Login to view embedded media View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fbp_4cfX6k

i just drink water with BCAA's all day.

I used to be a mountain dew guy for decades.

Pepsi over Coke on the rare occasion I splurge on a Soda. Coke always taste flat to me. Pepsi is more lively.

Soul Surfer said:

Huh?

Click to expand...

I get it. Kinda like ‘The Rams are going to have tough year unless they win a bunch of games’ (blue freakin’ font)

Loyal said:

Of that list, the 1975 Rams allowed the fewest points of any of the listed teams. The author said he punked them due to their playoff results, the bastid.

Click to expand...

Yeah he docks the Rams for playoff woes, but that 1971 Viking team lost to Dallas in the playoffs. He appears to credit all those Viking lines under 1 year. This list is somewhat flawed. I'd move Rams 1975 up for that since they won a playoff game. It should be the Bears, Steelers then those Rams. THEN Vikings.

Corenswet better be pumping some iron. He has a ways to go.

I had a nice speech prepared for why this needs to be locked, but never mind that.

LA_Rams_#29 said:

Could be... I do think for the first time in some years we have a pretty large group of talented ILBs... sure only one of them was drafted... but it's a talented group and we've had success with guys who weren't drafted high. We had the #1 defense in the NFL with Micah Kiser, Kenny Young and Troy Reeder being our ILBs. I'd argue that out of the new guys... Kelechi, square, and Smenda all have upsides beyond that group.

And between the roster and the practice squad.. we should keep those guys and develop them. Ernest Jones is our guy but if he goes down, are we going with Rozenboom with the Dot and our primary ILB?? Square and Smenda Jr. have been leaders of some pretty decent defenses in college and we need to develop those guys... it's a need for us. Also I think people are overestimating how much we're going to use only 1 ILB and have an extra safety in the box... we have young inexperienced safeties now too and it's not clear at all who that extra safety would be.

We need ILBs on the Roster and the practice squad

Click to expand...

Oh I would keep 2 ILB on the practice squad

Maybe not the most exciting but There’s nothing more comforting on defense than a stud ILB (see BWagz in his prime) or more nerve wracking than a ragdoll ILB. JL didn’t quite get to stud level but he above average to good and always gave 100%.

HitStick said:

Gordon has been jealous of Gurley his entire career. I remember him saying “I think he’s good, but I can do everything he can do.” or something along those lines…


But he couldn’t. He was not Todd Gurley. And the Todd Gurley that got paid, deserved the contract. Unfortunately, injuries happen. The problem with the running back market is that there are no Todd Gurleys out there right now.

Click to expand...

IMO there was NO REASON The Rams should have paid Todd Gurley what they did.It was Demoff who ruined the RB market in a way.
It’s deeper than that & it was the player who Todd Gurley was bidding against & won was the main reason.If the other RB ever performed like a Pro Bowler then that would have changed a lot of things.
—The Rams should have drafted D. Cook as well & traded up for Johnathan Taylor.
—Barkley getting hurt has never end helped & yes that OSU dude at Dallas has never been all that.Hetting fatter,slower & Older hurts the look of a RB. He doesn’t run with his belly out,& taking chicks tops off in public isn’t a good look either.

This guy is really hard to listen to. He sounds like he thinks he's talking to three year olds.

RamFan503 said:

Yeah. I agree. I didn't think I would. I think I looked at it like @Londoner before. But now I really think this works better.

Click to expand...