Looking at quarterback, guard, wide receiver, linebacker, running back, cornerback and safety
Free agency is steadily approaching as the franchise tag window opened this week. That means the Las Vegas Raiders’ options for addressing their needs will likely be dwindling soon. So, let’s take a look at one name to keep tabs on at each position of need who could get slapped with the one-year tender by their current clubs, while also exploring the franchise tag news that has already been reported as of Thursday, Feb. 20.
Quarterback: Sam Darnold
According to Silver and Black Pride’s recent poll, fans are worried about the Raiders signing Darnold. While that’s fair, it’s also hard to argue that the seven-year pro isn’t one of Las Vegas’ best options at addressing the most important position of need.
If you’re in favor of going after Darnold, the good news is ESPN’s Kevin Seifert said the Vikings likely won’t tag the quarterback.
“Using the tag on quarterback Sam Darnold would be an expensive way of ensuring his return while avoiding a longer-term commitment that would hinder J.J. McCarthy’s eventual ascension,” Seifert wrote on Feb. 17. “It could also be a way to elicit additional value by way of a trade, but that would require a knowledge that multiple teams would be willing to bid. In the end, the Vikings seem more likely to let Darnold sign elsewhere and preserve their tag for a player such as cornerback Byron Murphy Jr., who had a career-high six interceptions in 2024 and is hitting his prime at age 27. If nothing else, it would give the Vikings time to sign Murphy to a longer-term deal while keeping him off the market.”
Guard: James Daniels
According to The Athletic’s Nate Taylor, the Chiefs aren’t expected to tag Trey Smith who is arguably the best guard on the open market. That’s good news for the Raiders since the offensive line could use some help on the interior and, at the least, the odds of Smith leaving the division increase.
So, the other guard to keep an eye on is Daniels out of Pittsburgh. Only 27 years old, he’s still young and a quality player who signed a $26.5 million contract with the Steelers three years ago. Daniels was playing well at the beginning of last season but tore an Achilles in Week 4. That could lead Pitt to use the one-year tender on him to buy another season and see how he performs off the injury before negotiating a long-term contract.
Wide Reciever: Chris Godwin
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that the Bengals are likely to tag Tee Higgins, widely considered the top free-agent wide receiver this offseason. With that, it wouldn’t be surprising to see John Spytek go back to his roots and target another wideout.
Godwin has been productive throughout his eight-year career with nearly 7,300 yards and 39 touchdowns and is on the right side of 30. However, he is coming off a dislocated ankle that prematurely ended his campaign last fall.
According to Jenna Laine of ESPN, the Bucs aren’t expected to tag Godwin but are looking to bring him back.
“While sources told ESPN that the Bucs very much want receiver Chris Godwin back and will do what it takes to make this happen, it won’t be by using the franchise tag,” Laine wrote on Feb. 17. “They used the tag as a placeholder the last time Godwin was a free agent (in 2022), and they used it on him in 2021, so this would be his third time being tagged — therefore it would have to be a 144% raise, and I’m told there is “no chance” of that happening. They’ll do what it takes to re-sign him as a free agent.”
Running Back: Najee Harris
While ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported that the Steelers are unlikely to tag Harris after declining his fifth-year option last offseason, a similar situation has happened with another running back recently…(too soon?)
It wouldn’t be too surprising to see the Bay Area native get the Josh Jacobs treatment since the salary for running backs on the one-year tender is under $14 million, per Over The Cap. But if Harris hits free agency, adding a four-time 1,000-yard rusher should pique the Silver and Black’s interests.
Linebacker: Nick Bolton
Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images
Re-signing Robert Spillane could be a priority for the Raiders to maintain some continuity on defense, but it would be hard to pass up on making a run at Bolton if he becomes available. The 24-year-old has posted triple-digit tackles in three out of four seasons and is widely considered one of the best backers on the open market.
Luckily, in addition to Smith, the Chiefs’ lack of cap space could prevent them from using the franchise tag entirely, per ESPN’s Adam Teicher.
“The Chiefs have a lengthy list of free agents they would prefer to retain, but a shortage of cap space makes it unlikely they would place the franchise tag on any of them,” Teicher wrote on Feb. 17. “The Chiefs don’t relish the idea of losing guard Trey Smith, but putting a franchise tag on him at a projected cost of $25 million would wipe out their plans to re-sign others. The Chiefs have much already invested in offensive linemen Creed Humphrey, Jawaan Taylor and Joe Thuney, another reason tagging Smith doesn’t make a lot of sense.”
Cornerback: Asante Samuel Jr.
D.J. Reed is another option here, but it feels unlikely that the Jets will franchise tag their second corner while Sauce Gardner will be looking for a new contract. Charvarius Ward is another candidate. However, Ward mentioned that his mental health has been struggling in San Francisco after the death of his 23-month-old daughter and the 49ers would likely respect that by avoiding tagging him.
So, that leaves Samuel who could get hit with the one-year tender after having his 2024 campaign cut short due to an injury. Granted, Kris Rhim of ESPN reported that the Chargers aren’t likely to tag anyone this offseason.
“L.A. hasn’t used the franchise tag since 2020, when it tagged tight end Hunter Henry,” Rhim wrote on Feb. 17. “That streak probably will continue this offseason as the Chargers look to retain their top free agents with a projected $63 million in salary cap space.”
Safety: Cam Bynum
An argument could be made that in-house free agent Tre’von Moehrig is the safety to watch when it comes to the tag. But we’re focusing on outside hires here to give names beyond the organization to keep tabs on.
Oakland native Jevon Holland reportedly won’t get tagged by the Dolphins, per NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, which throws another safety into the hat for the Raiders. Meanwhile, Bynum’s situation is a little less clear.
If Minnesota doesn’t want to use the tender on Darnold, slapping the safety with it isn’t out of the question. The 26-year-old defensive back has eight career picks and 28 passes defended in four years to be an intriguing option if he hits the open market.