NFL Notes: Franchise Tag Candidates, Free Agents, Eagles, Jets, & Packers

Franchise Tag Candidates

Albert Breer spoke to a number of club executives and pro scouting directors regarding candidates who could receive franchise tags next year. Here’s what they came up with in terms of players to keep an eye on:

• Chiefs S Eric Berry
• Redskins QB Kirk Cousins
• Packers DE Mike Daniels
• Bills LT Cordy Glenn
• Bears WR Alshon Jeffery
• Rams CB Janoris Jenkins
• Broncos OLB Von Miller
• Panthers CB Josh Norman
• Seahawks LT Russell Okung
• Broncos QB Brock Osweiler
• Ravens K Justin Tucker
• Jets DE Muhammad Wilkerson

Free Agents

Jason Cole of B/R reports that the 2016 salary cap is expected to increase anywhere from $4 million – $12 million.

With this in mind, Cole mentions that impending free agents and their representatives are hesitant to sign new contracts until they have a better idea of the cap increase on future salaries.

Buccaneers RB Doug Martin and Redskins QB Kirk Cousins are two players likely to wait until next year before signing anything with their respective teams, according to Cole.

On top of that, contracts for players such as Seahawks QB Russell Wilson and Packers QB Aaron Rodgers could already be viewed as “outdated.”

Eagles

• Albert Breer of NFL Media believes Eagles HC Chip Kelly loves the challenge that comes with being an NFL coach. However, if things continue to go south for him in the NFL,
• Breer mentions that Kelly “isn’t the sort to lie to himself.”
• Breer mentions that opposing teams have focused on wearing out Billy Davis‘ defense, which can be attributed to the pace of Kelly’s offense to some degree.
• Breer points out that the Eagles are dead last in average time on the field, total yards allowed per game, and total passing yards allowed per game.

Jets

Jets WR Brandon Marshall said he has no intention of playing for another team and is hoping to end his career as a member of the franchise.

“Once the Jets say, ‘We don’t need you anymore,’ I’m going to venture off into that world,” Marshall said, via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. “I’m not playing for another team. Four is all I need. It’s too hard to make new friends and relationships and deal with different egos. I don’t like the business already. So I’m not trying to deal with that.”

Packers

• Rob Demovsky reports that Packers running backs Eddie Lacy and Alonzo Harris missed curfew Wednesday night, which explains why Lacy wasn’t more involved in the team’s game.
• Harris was cut shortly before Thursday’s game.