Tag: offseason

News: Byron Jones as the highest-paid corner? Lee wants to run it back

Byron Jones is headed for a major payday, valuable safety options in round one, and Mike McCarthy’s staff blending old with new.

With free agency approaching, one of the focal points for the Dallas Cowboys will be trying to retain top corner Byron Jones. Whether he stays or finds a new home, Jones is headed towards a lucrative payday. The safety position is also one of interest in Dallas as the NFL Draft in April draws near. Xavier McKinney and Grant Delpit have been popular picks in mock drafts if the Cowboys want to upgrade in the first round.

Mike McCarthy’s coaching staff will be a mixture of old and new as former assistants from his days in Green Bay will work together with the surviving staff members from 2019. A preview of the center position, Sean Lee’s future, and the possibility of Jourdan Lewis’s role increasing are all covered in the News and Notes from Saturday, February 8, 2020.

Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys staff blends familiar and new:: ESPN 

New Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has assembled his staff very quickly since being hired last month. Mixing former assistants Joe Philbin, Scott McCurley, and Jeff Blasko with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, McCarthy will have a nice balance throughout his staff as they lay out the groundwork for the 2020 season.

Jourdan Lewis was a player in 2019, could see bigger role next season:: NGSC Sports 

Lewis has always had the talent, he just needed the opportunity to consistently show what he could do. After catching a break with an injury to a teammate, Lewis took full advantage and reminded everyone of his skill set that made him so sought after before the 2017 NFL Draft.

Dallas Cowboys: 3 players who will step up this upcoming season:: The Landry Hat 

Coming off of a disappointing 8-8 season the Cowboys will definitely need more consistency from their roster. Lucas Mascherin breaks down who he thinks will come to the forefront and perform big in 2020. There are two returning members of the defenslve line, including DeMarcus Lawrence.

 

The Dallas Cowboys led all NFL teams in attendance in 2019:: Blogging the Boys 

Is there any real surprise here? The Cowboys have the most extravagant stadium in the NFL, and it attracts people from all over the world. With the world’s largest sliding glass doors and a video screen that stretches about 60 yards, there are no bad seats inside AT&T Stadium, hence why the attendance is so huge every season.

NFC East Makeover: Coaches who will reshape the division in 2020:: ESPN

The NFC East was a bad division in 2019. Three teams (Cowboys, Giants, Redskins) finished .500 or worse which led to each hiring new coach.

This piece breaks down what new Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy brings to the table, what big changes to expect, and what staff changes will have the biggest impact.

Cowboys’ Sean Lee still ‘focusing on playing,’ will explore his options this offseason:: CBS Sports 

The General has been in the blue and silver for a decade and when healthy, he’s been one of the best linebackers in the NFL. However, that’s been the one thing that has stopped him from being a Hall of Famer, his availability.

That narrative took a twist in 2019, though, as Lee played in 16 games for this first time in his career. Filling in for Leighton Vander Esch who suffered a season-ending neck injury, Lee registered 86 tackles, four passes defended, an interception, and a sack.

Having no thoughts of retirement, Lee is wanting to explore his options, although he’d prefer to stay in Dallas.

“I love it in Dallas and I love the Cowboys,” Lee said. “I hope it works out, for sure.”

Dallas Cowboys 2020 Offseason Preview: Center:: Inside The Star

Pro Bowl center Travis Frederick bounced back in 2019 after missing the previous season due to an illness. However, now the Cowboys have a decision to make regarding backup Center Joe Looney’s free agency.

Jessie Haynie breaks down Looney’s possible departure, how Connor McGovern figures in if he does leave, as well as where each center stands contractually.

Dallas Cowboys first-round pick: Grant Delpit or Xavier McKinney?:: The Landry Hat 

The Cowboys have the free safety position seemingly locked down with Xavier Woods. However, they’re still trying to find the missing piece to create a dynamic duo at the position. Two of the most highly sought-after safeties coming out of the college ranks could be available for the Cowboys when they pick at 17 in April’s NFL Draft.

McKinney and Delpit are both coming off first-team All-SEC seasons. The former recorded an amazing 95 tackles this season, while the latter won the Jim Thorpe Award as the best defensive back in the nation while helping the LSU Tigers win the 2019 CFP National Championship. These are two games to watch if the Cowboys choose to bolster the safety position in the first round.

Could Byron Jones become the highest-paid cornerback in th8e NFL?:: Blogging the Boys 

During the last two seasons, Byron Jones has put his name in the conversation with the best corners in the NFL. In 2018, he made his first Pro Bowl and was also named second-team All-Pro. This season, he was solid once again albeit on an inconsistent defense.

Now, Jones is set to be an unrestricted free agent once free agency starts in March. Will the Cowboys retain him? Or will he find the proverbial bag elsewhere?

3 Free Agent Wide Receivers for the Dallas Cowboys:: Inside The Star

The Cowboys have a few questions to ask at wide receiver this offseason. Pro Bowl receiver Amari Cooper, who is set to be an unrestricted free agent, will be the organization’s top priority once Dak Prescott is taken care of. Randall Cobb and Tavon Austin are also set to hit the open market.

Staff Writer John Williams breaks down possible options for the Cowboys at wide receiver in free agency, as well as a bonus pick.

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Seahawks WR DK Metcalf committed to fixing drops after rookie season

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf is committed to improving in certain areas for the 2020 season, particularly regarding drops.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf had a fantastic rookie season and looks to be one of the team’s most important players for the foreseeable future.

However, Metcalf stated that he is committed to rectifying his faults this offseason.

“I think I did pretty good [in my first year], but there’s always something I can work on,” Metcalf told NBC Sports Northwest. “That’s going to be my main focus during the offseason is just working on the things I saw as flaws during my rookie season and just build on that.”

Metcalf opined he had an excessive number of drops throughout his rookie season, and that is what he is primarily focused on improving.

“Mainly my drops,” Metcalf stated. “I had way too many drops in my opinion. Some of those drops could have changed the outcome of the game. I’m just working on those drops, man.”

Metcalf’s rookie season in 2019 was one of the best for a wide receiver and a Seahawk in recent memory, as he recorded 58 receptions for 900 yards and seven touchdowns. This is a promising start to what could potentially be a great career. If he corrects his flaws while maintaining stellar production alongside veteran wide Tyler Lockett, he could quickly establish himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL.

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Colts’ Chris Ballard talks QB plans, offseason decisions

Chris Ballard discussed some important offseason topics.

Chris Ballard’s busy offseason has already begun and with that comes loads of scouting, player meetings, and tough decisions moving forward.

After an illness forced him to miss Senior Bowl practices this week, he spoke with Dan Dakich of 107.5 The Fan on Friday to recap the season.

One point that Ballard made was that there are so many unknowns at the quarterback position. He said, “I said this in my press conference, ‘I thought Andrew Luck was going to be our quarterback starting Week 1 this season,’ so I won’t make that prediction.”

He also called Jacoby’s disappointing 2019, “the tale of two seasons” and talked about how he really struggled in the second half of the year. “…We just hit a stretch in the second half of the season where he didn’t play as well. Jacoby knows he’s got to play better. We’ve got to help him. I’ve got to help him. Frank has got to help him. And he’s got to help himself with better play.”

One interesting question was whether Ballard would be more inclined to take a quarterback in free agency rather than develop one through the draft.

He responded, “We look at everybody. Always. Every year. I think you have to go through the process every year, at every position, but especially quarterback. Not only in the draft, but also in free agency.”

Ballard has never splashed on big free agent signings during his time in Indy but with over $90 million to work with this offseason, there might have to be a change of pace. Granted, Ballard is a great drafter who always gets value picks in later rounds, but you can only draft so many projects before you acquire some actual, proven talent.

“It just depends on how it falls. You never know what’s going to happen in free agency. You never know what’s going to happen in the draft. It’s an unknown every year. If we have a chance to get better, we’ll get better.”

With free-agent quarterbacks like Teddy Bridgewater, Jameis Winston, Philip Rivers, and yes even Tom Brady, there are certainly options out there. Whether any of these players have the ability to make this team truly better in the long run will be a crucial decision that the Colts scouts and front office personnel will have to evaluate.

The Colts front office will certainly be packed with decisions before and after the NFL draft but one thing is for sure, Chris Ballard has this team heading in the right direction. Even Ballard might not know what the Colts will do with the 13th overall pick until they are on the clock.

Outline for fixing Packers’ two biggest problem areas this offseason

Plans for fixing the Packers’ problems defending the run and creating plays in the passing game this offseason.

The Green Bay Packers need to improve in two important areas this offseason. The defense must get better defending the run, and the offense has to acquire more playmakers in the passing game.

If GM Brian Gutekunst can fix both areas over the next few months, a team that surprised its way to 14 wins in 2019 could take a meaningful step and position itself as one of the NFC’s true powerhouses in 2020.

Here’s an outline for how Gutekunst can fix the two problems this offseason:

Run defense

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

1. Acquire a run-stuffing defensive end: Pro Bowler Kenny Clark needs help up front. Montravius Adams looks like a bust, Tyler Lancaster isn’t a true defensive end and Dean Lowry really disappointed in the first season of his new contract. A quality run-stuffer who can take on combo blocks at the point of attack and not lose gap integrity must be found or it won’t matter who is playing linebacker. Extending Lowry looks like a mistake. Getting a true defensive end (free agent Michael Pierce?) and a second-year jump from Kingsley Keke could make a big difference against the run.

2. Acquire a three-down inside linebacker: Blake Martinez is as good as gone. He’ll almost certainly find more money on the open market than the Packers are willing to pay to keep him. His departure will create another hole, but it also provides the Packers an opportunity to improve the linebacker position. Martinez lacks the speed, physicality and down-to-down play-reading ability to beat blockers to spots and create impact plays. Martinez’s replacement must have more athletic ability and the skill set to handle all three downs.

3. Acquire a veteran linebacker: Can the Packers count on Oren Burks to improve in his third season and finally become a player Mike Pettine trusts to put on the field? If not, and Martinez and B.J. Goodson depart, another linebacker will be required. A veteran who can play on run downs might make sense. And remember, Martinez calls the defense. The Packers will need a new leader.

Weapons in passing game

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

1. Acquire a veteran: The Packers are 1-for-4 signing veteran tight ends over the last four years. They hit on Jared Cook but swung and missed on Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks and Jimmy Graham. It’s nearly impossible to envision Graham returning in 2020, so Gutekunst might have to go back to the tight end market in free agency. Pairing breakout candidate Jace Sternberger with a (fairly appraised) veteran could stabilize an important position in Matt LaFleur’s offense. If there’s no tight end worth the money, trading for one (or a veteran receiver) might make more sense.

2. Use a top pick on WR: This is one of the best wide receiver draft classes in recent memory. The Packers will pick at the backend of each round, but they’ll likely have an opportunity to add a legitimate difference-making pass-catcher in the first or second round. Adding vertical speed or playmaking ability in the slot is achievable and necessary. This offense desperately needs another receiver for defenses to fear in the passing game. It’s long overdue but this is the perfect time to use a high pick to add one.

3. Use another pick on WR and TE: The ridiculous depth of the receiver class could give the Packers a chance to double-dip at the position. If there’s a good player that slips into the middle rounds due to the depth at the position, the Packers should pounce. It also wouldn’t be surprising if the Packers looked for a dual-threat tight end in the draft, even if a veteran is signed. Adding legitimate competition at both positions is a must.

Seahawks will face many decisions in free agency this offseason

The Seattle Seahawks will face many decisions in free agency in the 2020 offseason following their playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.

The Seattle Seahawks have many decisions to make regarding their impending free agents following their season-ending, divisional-round loss to the Green Bay Packers. There are quite a few dominoes waiting to fall in March.

Jadeveon Clowney may be the most notable unrestricted free agent, but Jarran Reed, Mychal Kendricks, Al Woods, Quinton Jefferson, and many others also have expiring deals. There are also restricted free agents such as Jacob Hollister and David Moore for Seattle to take into account and possibly offer tenders to.

The Seahawks also have key players like Chris Carson and Shaquill Griffin entering contract years, potentially putting them in line for contract extensions if Seattle wishes to keep them for the long-term future. And of course, they will have to cope with the losses of certain free agents, as no team can keep everyone and players may seek out bigger paydays from different teams.

And then there is the matter of who the Seahawks decide to bring in. The team should possess around $40 million in cap space for next season, and they could use that to re-sign some key free agents or sign notable players from other teams.

The Seahawks will have their work cut out for them this offseason if they wish to remain competitive next season.

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11 positions of need for Broncos this offseason

The Broncos have 11 positions that should be upgraded during the NFL offseason.

Broncos general manager John Elway will have plenty of salary cap space and up to a dozen draft picks to work with this offseason. That’s good because Denver has plenty of positions that could use an upgrade.

Here’s a quick look at 11 positions the Broncos should target this offseason, starting with the offensive line.

1. Offensive tackle: Even if Denver plans to enter 2020 with Ja’Wuan James and Garett Bolles as starters, the Broncos need more depth at tackle. James has not proven he can stay healthy and Bolles has failed to live up to his first-round draft status.

2. Offensive guard: Dalton Risner is a gem but Denver needs a potential Ron Leary replacement at right guard. The Broncos could move on from Leary and save about $8.4 million in salary cap space this spring.

3. Cornerback: Chris Harris might be on his way out of Denver and even if the Broncos do re-sign Harris, the secondary will need more depth at cornerback. If healthy, Bryce Callahan could be one of the team’s top two cornerbacks but Vic Fangio’s defense will need at least one more.

4. Nose tackle: Shelby Harris is about to become a free agent and he’s best-suited to play defensive end, not nose tackle. One option for Denver would be to bring back true nose tackle Mike Purcell, who is about to become a restricted free agent.

5. Wide receiver: Courtland Sutton looked great this year but DaeSean Hamilton is yet to step up and prove he can be a No. 2 WR. Even if Hamilton does take a big leap in 2020, the Broncos will need more depth.

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Important offseason dates NFL fans should know

When is the NFL draft? When does NFL free agency start? Here are the important offseason dates that fans should know.

The NFL’s offseason won’t truly begin until after Super Bowl LIV but for teams that didn’t make the playoffs (and for teams that have been knocked out of the playoffs), the offseason has already started.

The Denver Broncos, for example, have already signed 15 players to reserve/future contracts. Those players will officially join the team’s 90-man offseason roster when the new league year begins in March.

Many more transactions will happen this spring, most notable through NFL free agency and the NFL draft. Here are the dates for free agency, the draft and every other notable offseason event on the NFL’s calendar, courtesy of the league’s communications department.

Jan. 11-12 Divisional Playoffs.
Jan. 12 Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that won their Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games.
Jan. 17 Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2020 College Draft will be sent to clubs on January 21.
Jan. 18 East-West Shrine Bowl, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.
NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California.
Jan. 19 AFC and NFC Championship Games.
Jan. 25 Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.
Jan. 26 NFL Pro Bowl.
An assistant coach, whose team is participating in the Super Bowl, who has previously interviewed for another club’s head coaching job may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 2 Super Bowl LIV, Hard Rock Stadium, South Florida.
Feb. 3 Waiver system begins for 2020.
Feb. 11 Beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, NFL clubs may begin to sign players whose 2020 CFL contracts have expired. Players under contract to a CFL club for the 2020 season or who have an option for the 2020 season are not eligible to be signed.
Feb. 24-March 2 NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Feb. 25 First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
MARCH
March 10 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 16-18 Clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2019 player contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
March 18 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must exercise options for 2020 on all players who have option clauses in their 2019 contracts.
Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit qualifying offers to their Restricted Free Agents with expiring contracts to retain a Right of First Refusal/Compensation.
Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must submit a minimum salary tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2019 contracts who have fewer than three accrued seasons of free agency credit.
Top 51 Rule begins. All clubs must be under the 2020 Salary Cap prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time.
All 2019 player contracts will expire at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The 2020 league year and free agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2020 league year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the league office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
Trading period for 2020 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2019 contracts.
March 29-April 1 Annual League Meeting, Palm Beach, Florida.
APRIL
April 6 Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2019 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 17 Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 20 Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 23-25 NFL Draft, Las Vegas, Nevada.
April 27 Beginning this date, NFL clubs may request permission to visit with, try out, or sign any player who was under contract to the XFL at the conclusion of the XFL season.
MAY
May 1-4 Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.
May 5 Deadline for prior club to send “May 5 Tender” to its unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents. If the player has not signed a player contract with a club by July 22 or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later, he may negotiate or sign a player contract from that date until the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, at 4:00 p.m., New York time, only with his prior club.
May 8-11 Clubs may elect to hold their one three-day post-Draft rookie minicamp from Friday through Sunday or Saturday through Monday.
May 11 Rookie Football Development Programs begin.
May 14-17 NFLPA Rookie Premiere. Invited rookies (typically, first- and/or second-round selections) must be permitted by their respective clubs to attend. Such players are unavailable for offseason workouts, OTA days, and minicamps during this period.
May 19-20 Spring League Meeting, Marina Del Ray, California.
JUNE
June 1 Deadline for prior club to send “June 1 Tender” to its unsigned Restricted Free Agents who received a qualifying offer for a right of first refusal only in order for such player to be subject to the CBA’s “June 15 Tender” provision.
June 15 Deadline for club to withdraw qualifying offer to Restricted Free Agents and still retain exclusive negotiating rights by substituting “June 15 Tender” of one-year contract at 110 percent of the player’s prior-year Paragraph 5 Salary (with all other terms of his prior-year contract carried forward unchanged).
Late June Rookie Transition Program to be held at individual clubs.
JULY
July 15 At 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for any club that designated a Franchise Player to sign such player to a multiyear contract or extension. After this date, the player may sign only a oneyear contract with his prior club for the 2020 season, and such contract cannot be extended until after the club’s last regular season game.
Mid-July Clubs are permitted to open preseason training camp for rookies beginning seven days prior to the club’s earliest permissible mandatory reporting date for veteran players.

Veteran players (defined as a player with at least one pension-credited season) other than quarterbacks or “injured players” (as defined in CBA Article 21, Section 6) may report to a club’s preseason training camp no earlier than 15 days prior to the club’s first scheduled preseason game or July 15, whichever is later.

Veteran quarterbacks and injured players may be required to report to the club’s preseason training camp no earlier than five days immediately prior to the mandatory reporting date for all other veteran players, provided the club has already opened (or simultaneously opens) its official preseason training camp for all rookies and first-year players

A three-day acclimation period will apply to players who are on a club’s roster up to and including the mandatory veteran reporting date. Players who rejoin the roster after that date may practice (including wearing pads) and play immediately after passing a physical.
July 22* Signing period ends for Unrestricted Free Agents to whom a “May 5 Tender” was made by prior club. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.

* or the first scheduled day of the first NFL training camp, whichever is later.
July 22 Signing period ends for Transition Players with outstanding tenders. After this date and until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the Tuesday following the 10th weekend of the regular season, prior club has exclusive negotiating rights.
AUGUST
August 6 Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio.
August 6-9 Hall of Fame Weekend, Canton, Ohio.
August 11 Deadline for players under contract to report to their clubs to earn an accrued season for free agency.
If a drafted rookie has not signed with his club by this date, he cannot be traded to any other club in 2020, and may sign a player contract only with the drafting club until the day of the Draft in the 2021 league year.
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 5 Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, clubs must reduce rosters to a maximum of 53 players on the Active/Inactive List.
Simultaneously with the cut-down to 53, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/NonFootball Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List.
Sept. 6 Claiming period for players placed on waivers at the final roster reduction will expire at 12:00 noon, New York time.
Upon receipt of the Personnel Notice at approximately 1:00 p.m., New York time, clubs may establish a practice squad of 10 players (clubs participating in the International Player Development Program may sign one additional international player to a Practice Player Contract.) No club, including the player’s prior club, will be permitted to sign a player to a practice player contract until all clubs have received simultaneous notification via the above Personnel Notice that such player’s prior NFL player contract has been terminated via the waiver system.

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Sean Payton keeping cards close to his vest on Saints draft needs

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton says it’s too early to discuss any firm strategy for the 2020 NFL Draft, but he likes what he’s hearing

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Ready or not, the New Orleans Saints are transitioning into the offseason. It’s not where they wanted to be right now, but it’s their reality. It means exit interviews, in-house evaluations, and strategizing for the future.

And for head coach Sean Payton, it means meeting with his scouts and front office staff to see how the team can improve. He was short on details in his end-of-year press conference on Tuesday, but did give some ideas about where the franchise is headed.

“There’s some ‘musts,’ right now that are, at least in my mind, positions that we’ve gotta solidify to be better,” Payton said. “And I think we’ll try do that in any way, shape, or form.”

Payton said that he’s only had cursory conversations about this year’s draft class, though he likes what he’s heard early on about the prospects at wide receiver when asked about it specifically. He explained that most of New Orleans’ internal discussions have surrounded the team’s restricted and unrestricted free agents, many of whom will test the open market in March.

It’s easy to point to wideout as the Saints’ biggest roster need in 2020; Michael Thomas put on a one-man show in 2019, outpacing the next-best wide receiver by 119 receptions and 1,304 yards through the air. This year’s draft class is being talked about as one of the best in recent memory at the position, which should be music to Saints fans’ ears.

Traditionally, the Saints like to load up on veteran free agents and go into the draft without one significant position still to draft. That’s what Payton referred to by ‘musts’ — his in-house ranking of roster needs designates different groupings as ‘musts,’ ‘needs,’ and ‘wants,’ in order of priority. So if wide receiver is a ‘must-add’ position, linebacker could be a ‘need,’ and so on.

Tight against the salary cap and with so many of their own free agents to consider, it’s possible the Saints flip the script and try to limit their investing to players who have already succeeded in their system. But it’s a long road until March, when free agency opens up, and even further to get to April’s draft. It’ll be fascinating to see how Payton and the Saints get there and what they choose to do when they’re on the clock.

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Two Rams players could be in play for franchise tag this offseason

The Rams could use the tag on one of two defenders this offseason.

Few teams have been more willing to use the franchise tag in recent years than the Los Angeles Rams. They tagged a player in three straight years from 2016-2018, with Trumaine Johnson receiving the first two tags and Lamarcus Joyner the third in 2018.

The Rams opted not to use it in 2019, seeing no viable candidates worth tagging at such a high price. The only possible options were Rodger Saffold and Joyner, who both signed elsewhere in free agency.

After taking a year off from playing tag, the Rams could get back into the game by using it on one of two players this year. Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. are viewed as the Rams’ most important free agents this offseason, and it’s possible neither will return in 2020.

Littleton has become one of the best linebackers in the NFL despite not earning a Pro Bowl nod, putting together an outstanding 2019 season with 134 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two interceptions. He can do it all from his inside linebacker spot, proving to be the Rams’ second-most valuable player behind Aaron Donald.

Fowler also had the best season of his career. He recorded 11.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss, ranking second on the team in both categories. His pass-rush win rate of 23% ranked ninth among all edge rushers, finishing in the company of players such as Za’Darius Smith, Jadeveon Clowney, Joey Bosa and Shaq Barrett.

Both players are going to be coveted in free agency, but the Rams can prevent one of them from reaching the market by using the franchise tag. Using the tag typically isn’t good business because of the strain it usually puts on the relationship between the team and player, but it can be a preventative measure to ensure a player is back in the same uniform for at least one more year.

Not only that, but it also opens the door for trades. Last offseason, six teams used the franchise tag. Three of those players were traded, with two of them signing extensions with their new teams. Clowney was dealt from the Texans to the Seahawks after holding out, while Seattle also traded Frank Clark to Kansas City after he was tagged. Clark replaced Dee Ford, who the Chiefs traded to the 49ers.

If the Rams were to tag either Fowler or Littleton, they’d cost the same because in the NFL’s eyes, they play the same position. They’re both considered linebackers, even though they have completely separate responsibilities.

The projected franchise tag for linebackers in 2020 is $16.27 million fully guaranteed. For a defensive end – if Fowler played in a 4-3 scheme – the tag is projected to cost $19.316 million. That’s a significant difference, obviously.

The target price for Littleton is probably in the range of what Shaq Thompson ($13.6 million per year) and Jaylon Smith ($11.4 million per year) got in the last year. He can shoot for Bobby Wagner and C.J. Mosley’s range of $17-18 million per year, but he probably won’t get that.

That makes the $16.27 million tag an expensive one for someone like Littleton. The Rams would be far better off signing him to an extension and locking him up long-term for around $13 million per year.

For Fowler, though, the tag wouldn’t be a bad idea. At $16.27 million, Fowler would rank 12th among all edge rushers in average salary. He can probably earn what Ford got from the 49ers ($17.1 million per year) last offseason on a long-term deal, but it’s unlikely the Rams would break the bank with a long-term extension at that price.

It’s still very early in the process, but there’s no doubt the franchise tag is on the table for Los Angeles this offseason. Andrew Whitworth, Michael Brockers and Greg Zuerlein are also eligible to be tagged, but paying them what the franchise tender is worth in 2020 would not be a wise move by the Rams.

It’ll likely come down to Littleton and Fowler, if Los Angeles decides to use it at all.

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