Rams More Likely To Franchise S Lamarcus Joyner Than WR Sammy Watkins?

Mike Garafolo of NFL Media mentioned Thursday that based on the conversations he’s had with people around the NFL, the Rams could end up using their franchise tag on S Lamarcus Joyner instead of WR Sammy Watkins.

According to Garafolo, the Rams could attempt to sign either Joyner or Watkins to a long-term extension before the franchise tag deadline and then use the tag on the other player.

If Los Angeles is unable to lock Joyner up long-term, Garafolo says he could see a situation where the Rams franchise him and allow Watkins to 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.