On Friday night we learned the NFL and NFLPA set the salary cap above $155 million. Which means we now know the franchise tag and transition tag numbers.
They're calculated based on a complicated formula -- CBS Sports' Joel Corry previously calculated the numbers based on a predicted salary cap. The cap ended up being higher than even the most optimistic of obvservers could have expected, meaning the franchise tag numbers are up too.
| Official franchise tag numbers, 2016 | ||
| Position | Franchise Tag | Transition Tag |
| Cornerback | $13,952,000 | $11,913,000 |
| Defensive End | $15,701,000 | $12,734,000 |
| Defensive Tackle | $13,615,000 | $10,875,000 |
| Linebacker | $14,129,000 | $11,925,000 |
| Offensive Line | $13,706,000 | $11,902,000 |
| Punter/Kicker | $4,572,000 | $4,123,000 |
| Quarterback | $19,953,000 | $17,696,000 |
| Running Back | $11,789,000 | $9,674,000 |
| Safety | $10,806,000 | $9,116,000 |
| Tight End | $9,118,000 | $7,713,000 |
| Wide Receiver | $14,599,000 | $12,268,000 |
Yes, all linebackers fall in the same category and, yes, all linemen fall in the same category as well. It's silly and it needs to be fixed, but it'll have to wait until the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Leap Year (Monday is February 29) gives teams an extra day to decide on using the franchise tag: the deadline to place the tag on players is March 1 at 4 p.m. ET.
The Ravens already informed kicker Justin Tucker they were using the tag on him.
It's expected the Bears will use the franchise tag on Alshon Jeffery, while the Panthers (Josh Norman), Broncos (Von Miller) and Redskins (Kirk Cousins) are likely candidates as well.
