After five successful, albeit controversial, seasons with the Detroit Lions, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh will likely hit the market as a free agent after the team officially decided not to use the franchise tag on the 28-year old defensive lineman.
If the Lions had decided to tag Suh it would have cost them $26.9 million. There’s a chance that Detroit could negotiate a contract extension with Suh before free agency begins on March 10, but that probably won’t happen since Suh will unquestionably be the top defensive player available in free agency and is looking at getting offered the biggest contract of any defensive lineman in history.
With great teams like the Dallas Cowboys, the New England Patriots and even the New Orleans Saints and New York Giants being forced to spend more of their salary cap money over the next two seasons, Suh won’t even have to look at a bottom-dweller for a big contract. He could slide right onto a contender and still make $23-24 million a year. The Indianapolis Colts have tons of open cap space as well.
Last year Suh had 53 tackles, 8.5 sacks and three passes defended.
Dez Bryant franchised by Cowboys
It was a move that Dallas Cowboys owner/GM Jerry Jones openly talked about for weeks and it happened Monday. The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Dez Bryant, effectively blocking him from free agency and leaving the team. The tag will pay Bryant $12.823 million in 2015 if he and the Cowboys don’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal.
Since the Cowboys used the non-exclusive tag, if a team wanted to sign Bryant away from the Cowboys they still could, but it would cost them two first round draft choices. By being unable to reach an agreement with Bryant without the tag, the Cowboys effectively set running back DeMarco Murray loose into free agency.
The 26-year-old Bryant is likely looking for a contract in the $16-17 million a year range of Detroit Lions’ wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
Broncos place tag on Demaryius Thomas
Bryant wasn’t the only big named pass-catcher to be effectively removed from the market Monday. The Denver Broncos placed the franchise tag on potential free agent wideout Demaryius Thomas, a move that GM John Elway said was almost certain to happen last week at the combine.
Thomas will also receiver $12.823 million next season if he and the Broncos can’t reach a long-term agreement. The 27-year-old receiver set new career highs in receptions (111) and yards (1,619) last year and scored 11 touchdowns. Thomas is easily QB Peyton Manning’s favorite target and is a player the Broncos can’t afford to lose.
Like Bryant, Thomas too is looking at a $16 million-ish per year contract to lock in long term.
Justin Houston tagged by Chiefs
The best pass rusher in the league last year won’t be able to change teams. The Kansas City Chiefs put the franchise tag on outside linebacker Justin Houston Monday. The tag for Houston, because he plays outside linebacker, even in the 3-4 scheme, is $13.195 million.
In the meantime, like Bryant and Thomas, the Chiefs will continue to work on a long-term deal with the 26-year-old All-Pro. Houston made his third consecutive Pro Bowl in 2014 after recording 68 tackles, 22 sacks, four forced fumbles and five passes defended. Over the last two seasons only the Houston Texans’ J.J. Watt has been better at getting into the backfield.
No FA for Giants’ JPP
Jason Pierre-Paul will be the first big-time pass rusher the New York Giants didn’t send packing in years after the team placed the franchise tag on the 26-year-old defensive end Monday. The tag is worth $14.8 million for Pierre-Paul in 2015.
Like Bryant, JPP got the non-exclusive tag from the Giants, meaning a team would have to give up two first round picks to sign him. New York and Pierre-Paul will continue to negotiate a long-term deal. JPP had 77 tackles, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and six passes defended last season.
Patriots franchise tag Gostkowski
The New England Patriots didn’t want to start over with a new kicker and now they won’t have to. Stephen Gostkowski was tagged by the Patriots Monday. If Gostowski and the Patriots don’t reach a long-term deal before July 10, Gostowski will play for $4.5 million in 2015.
Gostowski was been one of the best kickers in the league for the last three seasons. The Patriots drafted him in the fourth round out of Memphis in 2006 the same year they lost Adam Vinatieri in free agency to the Indianapolis Colts.
Clay gets Transition Tag from Dolphins
Charles Clay has been a sleeper fantasy football pick for players all over the country the last two seasons and Monday the Miami Dolphins made sure they’ll get a chance to keep the highly productive tight end. Clay was tendered with the transition tag and will make $7.071 million if not offered a contract by another team. If Clay is offered a contract by an outside organization, the Dolphins have the right to match it.
Even banged up last season, Clay still managed to catch 58 passes for 605 yards and three touchdowns.
Signings and cuts
The Philadelphia Eagles shored up their inside linebacker corps by signing former Green Bay Packers inside linebacker Brad Jones Monday. Jones was a back up last season, but had 22 starts in 2012 and 2013, with 84 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The Miami Dolphins cleared some cap room by cutting cornerback Cortland Finnegan, saving $5 million. The Dolphins also cut backup guard Nate Garner, picking up $1.65 million in free cap space.
To free up plenty of space to sign Jason Pierre-Paul, the Giants cut loose center J.D. Walton.
