Tennessee Titans: Franchise tag and transition tag strategies
Tag strategies for Jack Conklin:
Jack Conklin is considered one of the prizes of free agency after coming off his best year since his All-Pro rookie season back in 2016. Very seldom do quality tackles actually hit the open market so when they do, the bidding war begins fast and furiously.
There have been a multitude of rumors stating that Conklin’s market is likely to be very strong and is expected eclipse more than $18 million annually when it’s all said and done.
The Titans have a couple of different options on the table for the former Michigan State standout. The first option — which I consider to be the most likely — the Titans simply let their right tackle capitalize on his market by letting him walk while they attempt to fill that void either through free agency or the draft.
Secondly, should they reach a deal with Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill prior to the tag deadline, they could franchise tag Conklin and hope he’s willing to play on the tag in order to solidify that right side for at least another year.
Lastly, Tennessee could choose to do a tag and trade scenario where they franchise tag their former first round pick, and then seek a trade in order to capitalize on his clear interest from other teams.
Before the 2019 season, the Miami Dolphins traded Laremy Tunsil to the Houston Texans for two first round picks and a second rounder among other assets. That alone makes you think a talented tackle like Conklin would draw relatively similar interest if he were put on the trading block.
Although, the only way that situation becomes a legitimate possibility, depends if the Titans have figured out what they want to do in terms of extending Henry and Tannehill prior to the deadline, which would leave the franchise tag option available for Conklin. Something that in my opinion, seems very unlikely at this point.
The Titans could still reach a long term deal with Conklin as well, but that seems like the unlikeliest of all the situations I listed thus far therefore it may be time to mentally prepare for the possibility of having a new right tackle in 2020 and beyond.