NFL 2015 Trade News, Rumors: Full Details of the NFL Tag Deadline Day
Monday was the deadline for NFL team to apply tags to their pending free agents. That can mean a lot of things so here is a quick run down of the different types of tags the teams can use to keep their players. The basics are pretty simple every NFL team gets one tag per offseason, and they often use those tags as negotiating points to get long term deals done.
The Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on WR Dez Bryant. He gets a fully guaranteed one year contract worth 12.8 million dollars (once he signs it). That figured is derived from the average salary of the top five highest paid players at his position or 120% of his cap number from 2014. Whichever is higher. The New York Giants used this tag on Jason Pierre Paul as well.
The Denver Broncos used the non exclusive tag on WR Demaryius Thomas. This allows Thomas and his agent to field offers from other teams but he cannot sign it. It gives the Broncos a chance to meet any offer for him. It carries the same stipulations of money as the franchise tag on a one year deal. Teams can offer longer term deals and if Thomas accepts one of them (and the Broncos refuse to meet it) the Broncos get two first round draft picks from that team.
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The Miami Dolphins used the transition tag on TE Charles Clay. The Transition tag is much like the non exclusive tag allowing the player to negotiate with other teams but comes with no compensation if another team signs him. This tag pays the player a one year contract based on the average of the top ten contracts at his position. For Clay that means 7.071 million dollars. He has to sign it or the Dolphins can resend it, but there are ramifications for doing so.
The only other thing to keep in mind is that teams and the players they have tagged have until July 15th to negotiate long term deals.
