NFL free agency 2021: 5 top candidates for franchise tag
The 2021 NFL free agency is upon us, and there will be a litany of franchise tags being placed on stars. Here are five such men.
5. Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos
Simmons is the first of four guys on the 2021 NFL free agency list who would be getting tagged for the second time. The 27-year-old is one of the best safeties in the league and for the Broncos to tag him once more, it would cost approximately $10.5 million. Simmons, if on the open market, would be the highest-paid safety of his free-agent class and perhaps even in football, depending on how many teams got into a bidding war for his services.
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4. Brandon Scherff, G, Washington Football Team
Again, another player who would be looking at his second tag. Scherff is an elite guard who in five seasons with the Football Team has racked up four Pro Bowls and a First-Team All-Pro nod. At 29 years old, Scherff would help almost any team in the league. While his value is muted a touch because he plays inside and not the glamour position of tackle, he still brings a valuable skill set which would command top-dollar for guards.
3. Leonard Williams, DT, New York Giants
After five years of mediocre production, Williams stormed onto the scene with great 2020. The former New York Jets first-round pick totaled 11.5 sacks from the interior and earned his first Pro Bowl berth. Despite his lackluster production in ’19, he was tagged by Giants general manager Dave Gettleman. It’s hard to imagine Gettleman letting Williams walk, especially with New York having some cap flexibility.
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2. Shaq Barrett, EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After five years with Denver and languishing in the shadows of Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, Barrett escaped to the Buccaneers and has become both a force off the edge and a Super Bowl champ. Tampa Bay must decide whether to tag Barrett or receiver Chris Godwin, but Barrett is the more important talent to keep in house. Over the past two seasons, Barrett has 27.5 combined sacks and a Pro Bowl berth, along with being instrumental in a Super Bowl victory.
1. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Not much to say here. The Cowboys are in a tough spot. If they can’t sign Prescott long-term before the end of the tag period, they must slap it on Prescott, costing them north of $37 million. This saga has been going on for years and doesn’t appear ready to be over yet.
