Cowboys Unrestricted Free Agency: No Team Tag? Mike Evans, Tee Higgins, and Chris Jones’ Top 10 to watch
This offseason, Dallas has no intention of using the tool—which is typically only a stand-in for a team to keep the rights to a standout player while negotiations are ongoing. A tagged player usually stays with his team.
In light of the Cowboys’ needs, our top-10 list of NFL players is expected to dodge today’s tag, allowing them to be selected by the highest bidder when the league season begins on March 13.
Mike Evans, a receiver for the Buccaneers: A $28.4 million franchise tag would be attached to him. Tampa Bay wants to keep him, but they won’t do that. With CeeDee Lamb set to negotiate a contract in the $30 million bracket, can Dallas afford to sign another player?
2-Defensive tackle for the Chiefs Chris Jones: The Super Bowl champions’ best defensive player. $32.16 million is anticipated to be his tag number. Does it imply that if he accepts offers, he will receive that APY number? Jones declares his desire to remain in Kansas City. That may be the last of that. Regarding Jerry Jones’s “all-in” promise, though? If the Cowboys truly were serious about improving that defensive front, you would take him much more seriously.
3-Defensive tackle for the Ravens Justin Madubuike: This is the same narrative, but Madubuike is two years younger at 27.
4-L’Jarius Sneed, cornerback, Kansas City Chiefs: Theoretically, the Chiefs are unable to afford everyone. However, we have argued that Dallas would not opt to pay $20 million APY on a third cornerback, which is what most additions are expected to cost given the presence of Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland.
5. Kevin Dotson, a guard for the Rams: Dotson, 27, had his greatest season to date last year after joining the Rams for just two Day 3 picks in exchange for a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Yes, the Rams have mastered the art of expanding their roster.) He isn’t just a “name.” However, PFF ranks him as the second-best guard overall in the league and the leading obstinate. PFF predicts that he will sign a four-year contract at $17 million APY at the same time. Here, Dallas doesn’t even come close, if that statistic is accurate.
6. Frankie Luvu, a linebacker for the Panthers, is 6-3 and 235, which by itself fills a need that Dallas acknowledges it has. An undrafted free agent from 2018, he is a self-made man whose projected salary of $7 million APY is within Dallas’ budget.
7-Defensive tackle for the Dolphins Christian Wilkins: Some could describe the Dolphins’ 2019 first-round selection as “dirty,” since he played on the verge of taking 9.5 sacks. Perhaps Dallas could use a little “dirty”—or, in Micah Parsons’ words, a “big nasty.”
8-Tee Higgins, a receiver for the Bengals: Why so low on the roster? The Bengals will be responsible for $20.6 million for one season if they decide to tag Higgins. We can’t imagine why Cincy wouldn’t accept it; it’s a great deal.
9- Edge rusher with the Panthers Brian Burns: Again, why is this so low? At 25, he’s only now starting to reach his peak, so his estimated $23 million tag price is more than reasonable. Carolina has no motive to play about here.
10. Saquon Barkley, running back for the Giants: No, this is a pipe dream since Dallas will not spend at this position. However, we firmly think that: Released from the mediocrity of New York, Barkley possesses superstar potential if he stays healthy and plays for the proper team. Somewhere, he will be fighting for a rushing crown.