On Monday, several NFL teams used their franchise tags to lock in star players for next season, including Las Vegas Raiders.
It was an expected move that the Raiders flagged as running back. Josh Jacobswhich should earn $10.1 million in 2023.
However, with all these tags, there is a chance that the Raiders and Jacobs will find common ground in the long run. If not, they will only have him for one season before he has the opportunity to become a free agent again ahead of the 2024 season.
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No. 28 Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders carries the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second half of a game at Allegiant Stadium on January 7, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
The Raiders could have exercised Jacobs’ option for a fifth year after he was selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
However, it was a little tricky because last season for an Alabama product, that would have been an $8 million salary.
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Despite rushing for over 1,000 yards in his first two seasons, Jacobs has amassed 872 yards in his 15 2021 games. That’s with 1,653 yards, a career high, with 12 touchdowns in 17 games. He averaged nearly five yards per carry last season.
Jacobs wasn’t the only runner to be tagged on Monday as the Dallas Cowboys used him against Tony Pollard. He will have the same salary of $10.1 million next season.
No. 20 Tony Pollard of the Dallas Cowboys carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Pollard quickly became a versatile option for the Cowboys as his ability to play on the ground and in the air allowed him to hit 53% of offensive snaps.
But Pollard was injured at the end of the season in a divisional round playoff game against San Francisco 49ers that required surgery to recover. However, Dallas is showing his clear thoughts that he will be ready for next season. They can also use the tag to give themselves more time to sign a deal.
Pollard had his first 1,000-yard rushing season (1,007) with nine touchdowns, catching 39 passes for 371 yards and three touchdowns.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars also tagged tight end Evan Angram, who will make $11.35 million if a deal doesn’t go through. Engram has always been a tag contender after setting career highs in catches (73) and receiving yards (766) in his first season after the New York Giants let him become a free agent last year.
Finally, the Washington Commanders tagged defenseman Daron Payne, who is the highest bidder at $18.937 million for next season. In 2022, Payne had a sack record of 11.5, placing third among his positions.
No. 28 Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates a 40-34 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks with a touchdown at Lumen Field on November 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
All other NFL teams must tag a player by 4:00 pm on March 7 or they will go free as soon as the new league year begins on March 15.
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Tag players have until July 15 to receive an extension before the price of the tag is locked in for the 2023 season.