Offensive franchise tag candidates revealed ahead of 2022 free agency

Its franchise tag season in the NFL. As the league prepares to tag some of the best players looking for a payday, Spotrac detailed the top candidates for the franchise tag on offense ahead of 2022 free agency.

Offensive Franchise Tag Candidates, per Spotrac:

• Orlando Brown, OL, Kansas City Chiefs ($16.5M)
• Cam Robinson, OL, Jacksonville Jaguars ($16.5M)
• Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins ($11M)
• Dalton Schultz, TE, Dallas Cowboys ($11M)
• Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers ($20.1M)
• Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers ($18.5M)

As you can see, there’s a bevy of quality offensive candidates who could be tagged. Additionally, Spotrac provided the projected values of the franchise tag for each offensive position.

• Quarterback: $29.8M
• Running back: $9.5M
• Wide receiver: $18.5M
• Tight end: $11M
• Offensive lineman: $16.5M
• Defensive tackle: $17M
• Defensive end: $17.8M
• Linebacker: $18.7M
• Cornerback: $17.3M
• Safety: $13M
• Kicker/Punter: $5M

More on Davante Adams, possible franchise tag

Furthermore, arguably the best player eligible for the franchise tag is Packers wide receiver Davante Adams. Whatever Green Bay decides to do will shape multiple teams plans in free agency. However, it’s not as simple for the Packers as tagging Adams.

According to NFL insider Dan Graziano, the decision regarding quarterback Aaron Rodgers must be made before Adams can find out his future.

“I think they (the Packers) definitely need to know something by March 8, which is the last day they can designate a franchise player,” Graziano said. “With Davante Adams set for free agency, they’re gonna wanna know what they’re gonna do with Davante Adams. He’s going to want to know who the quarterback is gonna be if he’s gonna sign back there, or sign his franchise tender or hold out. That’s the key date.

“Realistically, they have to know in time to figure out what to do with Davante Adams.”

Davante Adams has been the top receiver for Aaron Rodgers for the past five seasons, in all of which he earned Pro Bowl appearances. He led the NFL in receiving yards per game (98.7) and receiving touchdowns (20) during the quarterback’s MVP season in 2020.

The quarterback has previously said that, out of respect for Adams, he will make that decision before March 8. Time will tell if he stays true to his word — for the sake of Davante Adams, and the sake of the Green Bay Packers.