Rams

Rams Expected To Franchise Either WR Sammy Watkins Or S Lamarcus Joyner

March 5, 2018

According to Ian Rapoport, the Los Angeles Rams expected to use their franchise tag before Tuesday’s deadline, but are still undecided if WR Sammy Watkins or S Lamarcus Joyner will get the tag.

Rapoport adds that whichever player isn’t tagged tomorrow will likely test the free agent market.
Alden Gonzalez’s sense is that the Rams’ priority is to retain Lamarcus Joyner and it would make more sense for L.A. to get a long-term deal in place for him and then use their tag on Watkins.
However, Gonzalez adds that if they can’t get a contract in place with Joyner by tomorrow, the Rams could elect to franchise him and let Watkins test the free agent market.

The franchise tag for receivers is projected to be around $15,682,000 while tagging a safety would cost $10,896,000 fully guaranteed.

Joyner, 27, is a former second-round pick of the Rams back in 2014. He played out the final year of his rookie contract and is now in position to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

In 2017, Joyner appeared in 12 games for the Rams and recorded 49 tackles, three interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown, a forced fumble and nine pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 3 safety out of 87 qualifying players.

Watkins, 24, was taken with the No. 4 overall pick back in 2014 after the Bills traded up to get him. The Bills traded him and a 2018 sixth-round pick to the Rams in return for CB E.J. Gaines and a 2018 second-round pick during the preseason.

Watkins played out the final year of his four-year, $19.935 million rookie contract and is now in position to be an unrestricted free agent in the coming months. The Bills somewhat surprisingly declined to pick up Watkins’ fifth-year option last year.

In 2017, Watkins appeared in 15 games for the Rams and caught 39 passes for 593 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 40 receiver out of 120 qualifying players.

We have both players featured in our Top 100 – 2018 NFL Free Agents list.