All aTwitter: 9 March 2021 - Afternoon Franchise Tag edition

Chase Young in 2020:

1 missed tackle
5 forced fumbles

(Via @PFF_Washington) pic.twitter.com/QjR63DxvHB

— All-Pro Reels (@allproreels) March 9, 2021

Days until...

Franchise tag deadline - 0
Legal tampering period - 5
Free Agency - 8
Offseason workouts - 41
2021 NFL Draft - 51
2021 NFL Season - 184

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) March 9, 2021

For other key Washington free agents: as of Sunday, there was nothing going on with Ryan Kerrigan, per source; the team is still trying to get deals done with Ronald Darby and Dustin Hopkins; Ryan Anderson is ready to move on, get back to playing as a... https://t.co/28uT9rfupk

— John Keim (@john_keim) March 9, 2021

In plain English: a long-term deal, even if it makes Scherff the highest-paid guard in the league by a wide margin, will still give Washington the 5th-most cap space in the NFL -- plenty of ammo to build the team in free agency.

— WASHINGTON FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) March 9, 2021

Golladay won't be franchised, which means he's free to be in Washington next season if WFT can do a deal. Would not be surprised to see that happen.

— Eat Sleep WFT (@WFTTalk) March 9, 2021

Need a WR who consistently makes absurd contested catches look easy? Soon to be free agent Kenny Golladay is your guy. pic.twitter.com/NzwDxipFwj

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 9, 2021

Lions WR Kenny Golladay should be a big beneficiary of today's action. With Chris Godwin and Allen Robinson tagged, he's the clear No. 1 WR free. And I'll say this, I'd be surprised if he goes to a program like the one he was in last year.

Fresh start's probably the right term.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 9, 2021

This is an interesting situation. Darby played pretty well last year and would be solid at the right price, but if $ gets too high I think I might prefer to spend money elsewhere (would love Marcus Williams at FS...) and look for another Darby-esc signing for CB2. https://t.co/HFrAcdYUnt

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) March 9, 2021

A pair of 49ers CBs could be interesting. Verrett and Witherspoon could be worth a look. Mayhew connection too. https://t.co/oqPj7ZpfRl

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) March 9, 2021

Chargers informed TE Hunter Henry that he will not be tagged, per source. Henry is headed to free agency.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021

Don’t forget this quote when you are projecting Henry to come to Washington. As of now, we simply don’t have what he wants. https://t.co/KGWVY7UR0V

— WFT (@_mattschoen_) March 9, 2021

Soon to be free-agent LB Jayon Brown received full and “unrestricted” medical clearance Friday from renowned elbow specialist Dr. Shawn O’Driscoll, per source. Great news and timing for Brown, a rising #Titans star before his November injury and one of the top LBs available.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2021

Removing tagged/signed players, here are the top free agents at WFT need areas per @SheilKapadia's rankings:

OT Trent Williams
WR Kenny Golladay
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
LB Lavonte David
WR Corey Davis
LB Matt Milano
CB William Jackson IIIhttps://t.co/VN2yf50VS3

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) March 9, 2021

With A-Rob and Godwin now tagged, here are my FA WR rankings:

Kenny Golloday
Corey Davis
Will Fuller
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Curtis Samuel
Marvin Jones
Rashard Higgins
TY Hilton
AJ Green
Sammy Watkins https://t.co/GR6IT48dge

— Matt Valdovinos (@MVScouting) March 9, 2021

The #Titans are not franchise tagging TE Jonnu Smith, source said. Another top TE will hit the market, along with #Chargers TE Hunter Henry.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021

Should be on any list of a team looking for a TE, including the team I cover. Would make a strong tandem with Logan Thomas. Able to diversify offense. https://t.co/GnM5sryhr2

— John Keim (@john_keim) March 9, 2021

Arizona Cardinals will not place the franchise tag on Haason Reddick, per @AdamSchefter

Reddick: 82.6 pass-rush grade since 2019 (3rd among free agent edge defenders) pic.twitter.com/5HV0ArZj4Q

— PFF (@PFF) March 9, 2021

The Ravens weren't expected to use the franchise tag and they won't. OLBs Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue will likely hit the open market next week.

— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) March 9, 2021

Patriots are not expected to use their franchise tag on OG Joe Thuney as they did last year, per sources. Thuney likely headed to the free-agent market.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021

If you're an NFL team looking for an offensive lineman in free agency, here's what Joe Thuney offers: he's 28, been an All-Pro guard who has also started games at center and played offensive tackle too.

He's been called for 3 total penalties over the past two seasons. Standout.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 9, 2021

Chargers informed TE Hunter Henry that he will not be tagged, per source. Henry is headed to free agency.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021

A surprise: The #Jaguars are expected to franchise tag OT Cam Robinson, locking in their valuable OL for 2021 and keeping him from the free agent market. He was to be one of the top tackles available.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021

#Jaguars are franchising Robinson because the cost isnt that high ($13.6Mish a year), young left tackles get paid, and there is nobody else available.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 9, 2021

The #Bears are administering the franchise tag on WR Allen Robinson, source said. Not a surprise, they were never letting him go. (fixed previous error)

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021

Another surprise: The #Saints are putting the franchise on S Marcus Williams, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021

This one’s a surprise, in that the Saints are in the most precarious position cap-wise of any team in football. But they LOVE Williams. https://t.co/aIfJkvZz84

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 9, 2021

Bears placed franchise tag on WR Allen Robinson, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021

We have placed the franchise tag on Leonard Williams

: https://t.co/O2tLH6q4IM pic.twitter.com/DfoR8Z7jU7

— New York Giants (@Giants) March 9, 2021

Reports: Seattle won't use franchise tag on Shaquill Griffin, Chris Carson. https://t.co/p8hEadVj26

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) March 9, 2021

The #Seahawks won’t franchise tag standout CB Shaquill Griffin given their cap situation, though they’ll work to retain him in free agency, source said. He’ll be one of the top players at his position.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021

The #Lions are not franchise tagging DE Romeo Okwara, source said. An underrated player coming off his best season yet, he’ll be coveted in free agency.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2021

Three-time Pro Bowl OL Kyle Long is returning to the NFL. He is 315 lbs., healthy, happy, nasty, and shredded, and has signed with Jeff Nalley of Select Sports Group.

— Macon Gunter (@macongunter) March 9, 2021

Former Bears OL, three-time Pro Bowler Kyle Long planning NFL comebackhttps://t.co/MK26dVk8Yi pic.twitter.com/qkdjBibiDC

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 9, 2021

Just spoke with #Browns DL Adrian Clayborn on his release from the team. "I found out last night. I understand what's going on with the cap. It's all good. Just trying to figure out what I want to do next."

— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 9, 2021

Some GM is going to sign former Lions EDGE Romeo Okwara -- probably for pennies on the dollar in comparison to other pass-rushers -- and is going to look really, really smart for it.

— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) March 9, 2021

LB Bud Dupree, Pittsburgh’s franchise player last year, has been informed that he will not be franchised again this year, per league source. Dupree is headed to free agency.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2021

The #Vikings just announced the release of K Dan Bailey, whose agent says they tried to work out a deal to stick. https://t.co/xubNKEqbJW

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2021

Buccaneers officially announce their use of the franchise player tag on Chris Godwin.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) March 9, 2021

The idea of #NFL free agency is always most fun until we see which players actually reach the market. Then, less fun.

— Mike Sando (@SandoNFL) March 9, 2021

Per team announcements and reports, 9 players have been tagged: #Broncos Justin Simmons#Jets Marcus Maye #WashingtonNFL Brandon Scherff#Giants Leonard Williams#Bucs Chris Godwin #Jaguars Cam Robinson #Panthers Taylor Moton #Bears Allen Robinson #Saints Marcus Williams

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 9, 2021

Feel as if some of the names announcing they wont be tagged are just hoping to jumpstart buzz around the player.

— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 9, 2021

On the WR position:

I expect Robinson to try to force his way out of CHI via trade.

The market is still LOADED at the position. Washington will be able to get a lot better at WR if it chooses to.

Golladay is the top guy now. Baller. Major injury history, though.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) March 9, 2021

Please tell me this is some sort of parody, because if I have to look at some George Orwell Animal Farm lookin-ass helmet every week, there will be a strongly worded email pic.twitter.com/mwlvyBZ3jj

— Not Robert Griffin (@Pseudo_RGIII) March 9, 2021

Missed a free agency move so far today? We've got you covered:

☑️ FA Tracker: https://t.co/AXF6znRU18

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) March 9, 2021

First week of May. (Believe it’s the 3rd). Yes it will be an easy call for them. https://t.co/wsgo82iedo

— John Keim (@john_keim) March 9, 2021

Drafted Clelin Ferrell at No. 4: 6.5 career sacks.

Signed Vontaze Burficit, suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

Signed Ryan Grant, released after four catches for 14 yards.

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) March 9, 2021

Mike Alstott's running directly at you in the hole...

What you doing?pic.twitter.com/9WXl25nvob

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) March 9, 2021

Daniel Jeremiah on why he likes Kyle Pitts to the Eagles sixth overall: "I think you can make a strong case he's the best player in the draft."

— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 9, 2021

Roster Moves: #Eagles have released S Blake Countess and DT Treyvon Hester. pic.twitter.com/jqob5nyjNb

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 9, 2021

.@MoveTheSticks had some seriously high praise for Kentucky LB Jamin Davis (@jamindavis25). Wow.

I know a team sits outside the top 10 and needs a linebacker ... pic.twitter.com/BmtjfDMlTz

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) March 9, 2021

Oh what could have been ‍♀️ @RiverboatRonHC https://t.co/calCTXlhQN pic.twitter.com/V1XgF7Kg6C

— Courtney Rivera (@NFL2Ucla) March 9, 2021