In the world of professional football, the salary cap and the physical demands of the game often work against certain players. If teams had their way, they would keep all of their players under contract for years to come. Unfortunately, that is not always feasible due to the financial implications, especially when it comes to using the franchise tag. As a result, some players are inevitably faced with the possibility of being tagged in the offseason. Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently shared a list of predictions regarding the players who are most likely to receive the franchise tag. The list includes Brian Burns, Jaylon Johnson, Tee Higgins, Christian Wilkins, Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Allen, Kyle Dugger, and Antoine Winfield Jr.
Brian Burns, an EDGE defender, is crucial for the Carolina Panthers if their new coach, Dave Canales, wants to alleviate some pressure from their revamped offense. The Chicago Bears would be wise to keep cornerback Jaylon Johnson, especially considering how dominant their defense was in the latter half of the season. Wide receiver Tee Higgins may attract significant interest in the free-agent market, but the Cincinnati Bengals cannot afford to lose him at this point. As the Miami Dolphins aim to improve their struggling defense, it is imperative that they retain defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, at least for another season. Michael Pittman Jr., an underrated hero for the Indianapolis Colts, is essential for the development of their quarterback, Anthony Richardson. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense will continue to be formidable if they manage to keep EDGE defender Josh Allen. The New England Patriots, known for their defensive prowess, should have no hesitation in retaining safety Kyle Dugger. Lastly, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers must retain safety Antoine Winfield Jr. after his exceptional season, although they also need to prioritize securing quarterback Baker Mayfield’s contract.
According to the Source thecoldwire.com