Posted this article not so much because it summarizes all the tags this year butmoreso because I thought people would be interested in the chart at the bottom that lists the amounts of each tag for each position. You might want to use the link because I can't get the table to format after pasting, so it is a little hard to read on here.
http://cle.scout.com/story/1522897-five-players-get-franchise-tag?s=149FIVE PLAYERS GET FRANCHISE TAG
Tim YotterTim Yotter
Scout.com
This story was originally published on ScoutNFLNetwork.com.
Five players received the franchise tag, including two high-priced receivers, and one player got the transition tag.
Five players received the franchise tag and one got the transition tag applied before Monday’s deadline for NFL teams to make such designations.
Wide receivers Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas will be getting the most guaranteed money if they sign their franchise tenders – with the receiver position carrying a $12.823 million price tag.
New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul was next in the salary scale of franchise players, as his tender is worth $14.813 million, followed by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston, whose franchise tag is worth $13.195 million.
The last of the franchise tags went to New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, who will make $4.126 million if he signs his franchise tag.
Miami Dolphins tight end Charles Clay was the only NFL player to receive a transition tag this year, worth $7.071 million.
The franchise and transition tags had to be submitted by 4 p.m. Eastern on Monday. Each team can designate one franchise or one transition player among its veteran free agents.
This year, all five of the franchise players were designated as “non-exclusive” franchise players, meaning they can negotiate with other teams, but two first-round picks would be sent to his old team if he signs with a different team. The amounts of the franchise tags are decided by the average of the five largest prior-year salaries at the position or 120 percent of his prior-year salary, whichever is greater.
An exclusive franchise player isn’t permitted to negotiate with another club and is paid an average of the top five salaries at his position for the current year as of the end of the restricted free agent signing period on April 24.
Clay, who was given the transition tag, is offered the average of the top 10 prior-year salaries at his position or 120 percent of his prior-year salary, whichever is greater. He is free to negotiate with other clubs, but the Dolphins have the right of first refusal. They wouldn’t get any draft-pick compensation if Clay signs elsewhere and they decline to match his other offer.
Teams can begin negotiating with free agents from other clubs on March 7 and the signing period starts March 10.
NON-EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE TRANSITION PLAYERS
POSITION TENDER AMOUNT POSITION TENDER AMOUNT
Quarterback $18,544,000 Quarterback $16,155,000
Running Back $10,951,000 Running Back $9,037,000
Wide Receiver $12,823,000 Wide Receiver $10,971,000
Tight End $8,347,000 Tight End $7,071,000
Offensive Linemen $12,943,000 Offensive Linemen $11,096,000
Defensive End $14,813,000 Defensive End $11,958,000
Defensive Tackle $11,193,000 Defensive Tackle $9,314,000
Linebacker $13,195,000 Linebacker $11,058,000
Cornerback $13,075,000 Cornerback $11,082,000
Safety $9,618,000 Safety $8,263,000
Kicker/Punter $4,126,000 Kicker/Punter $3,716,000
