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March 8 is the deadline for NFL clubs to designate franchise or transition players. The New York Giants, seeking to shed at least $40 million in salary cap space, aren’t likely to place either tag on any of their impending free agents.
The Giants have only four impending free agents that currently earn over $2 million per year: tackle Nate Solder, center Billy Price, tight end Evan Engram and safety Jabrill Peppers.
None of those players are worthy of the designation, which would pay them franchise tag values are based on the average of the top five highest-paid players at their positions or even higher.
Other starters and notable names headed for free agency are guard Will Hernandez, linebacker Lorenzo Carter, defensive tackle Austin Johnson and fullback Eli Penny.
The Giants will either seek to sign them before free agency begins on March 16 or take their chances in the open market.
According to Spotrac, the franchise tag values are expected to be as follows:
- Quarterback: $29.5M
- Running back: $9.5M
- Wide receiver: $18.5M
- Tight end: $11M
- Offensive linemen: $16.5M
- Defensive tackle: $17M
- Defensive end: $17.5M
- Linebacker: $18.5M
- Cornerback: $17.5M
- Safety: $13M
- Kicker/Punter: $5M
Solder is expected to retire. The Giants aren’t going to bring him back and it’s doubtful any team will pay him enough to continue his career elsewhere.
Price, Engram and Peppers can all be had much cheaper in free agency. That is, if the Giants are even interested in retaining any of them.
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