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Unlikely franchise tag deals, potential longshot trades

By Will Lomas

Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Kansas City Chiefs free safety Eric Berry (29) reacts after intercepting a pass against the Houston Texans during the first quarter in a AFC Wild Card playoff football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tennessee Titans didn’t use the franchise tag last year, and it is hard to look at many players on their roster that would warrant it if they were all free agents tomorrow.

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For those that don’t know (even though I assume that most of you do) the franchise tag is reserved for high impact players on a roster that you can’t stand to see another team get or that you can’t stand to lose.

You have to pay a premium for these players and it is all guaranteed, but it forces (for lack of a better word) the player to stay with the team for another year and it gives the team until a set date to agree to a long term deal. That date is tomorrow.

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    • While some teams have a chance to extend their tagged players still, according to Adam Schefter, there are some that he thinks are bound for 2016 free agency:

    “Absent unlikely change, no extensions expected for franchise players K. Cousins, Eric Berry, Alshon Jeffery, Mo Wilkerson, Trumaine Johnson.”

    The Tennessee Titans have two first round picks as you may remember, and a ton of cap space to spend. If we are operating under the premise that the Tennessee Titans could trade a 2017 1st round pick for a 2017 2nd round pick and one of these players, let’s go through the list and see which players make sense.

    Franchise tag on: Kirk Cousins QB, Washington Redskins

    Should the Titans trade: No

    This trade would make no sense for the Tennessee Titans. Why give up $16+ million for an inferior quarterback?

    Franchise tag on: Eric Berry S, Kansas City Chiefs

    Should the Titans trade: Absolutely

    Of course you make this trade. If you are talking about the trade most likely to happen, I think that you are hard pressed to find one that makes more sense than this one. The Chiefs need ammo to trade up and get a quarterback that can actually take them over the hump, and it looks like they don’t love Berry enough to pony up for a big deal.

    On the other hand, Eric Berry would be a great facsimile for Troy Polamalu in Dick LeBeau’s defense. He could play roving free safety, cornerback, nickel linebacker, and strong safety depending on the situation and where Dick LeBeau needs him.

    He would immediately come in as a fan favorite from his time in college at UT and he would give this defense a face at every level (Jurrell Casey on the DL, Brian Orakpo at LB).

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    Franchise tag on: Alshon Jeffery WR, Chicago Bears

    Should the Titans trade: No

    This may be a surprise, but with the proposed trade I think it is too much to give for a receiver that can get injured quickly. In a run-first offense, I don’t think that WR is a premium position.

    While I think he would work well in this offense, he could end up getting banged up and then the Titans would be left with the issue of “do we pay him or not?” He is the reason why the franchise tag exists, so teams can get a little more info and so the player can get a big chunk of money if he gets injured, too much risk.

    Franchise tag on: Mo Wilkerson DL, New York Jets

    Should the Titans trade: No

    I love Wilkerson, but this team already has a great 5-tech that can play 3-tech in sub-packages. While he would give this team and elite DL, this team needs young talent and to spend money at premium positions and I don’t think that will match up with what Wilkerson wants long term.

    Franchise tag on: Trumaine Johnson CB, Los Angeles Rams

    Should the Titans trade: No

    The Tennessee Titans need a play making cornerback, and I just don’t think Johnson is all that great. He has a lot of potential, but it isn’t like Darrell Revis, Richard Sherman, Vontae Davis, or any of the other top cornerbacks in the league that you fear on a down-to-down basis.

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