With the NFL’s franchise tag deadline roughly a week away, Tuesday saw the first domino fall.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Washington Commanders applied the franchise tag to 25-year-old DT Daron Payne. Based on the average top-five salary of interior DL players, Payne will now make roughly $18.9 million in 2023. After a season where the bright young player recorded 11.5 sacks, 20 QB hits, and 18 tackles-for-loss, Payne will spend at least another year in Washington.
Aside from continuing to wreak havoc with Jonathan Allen up front, Payne’s absence from the 2023 NFL free agent market leaves behind a massive gap. He was arguably the best DT available, but prospective teams now must look elsewhere.
This is, of course, great news for players who will likely hit the open market, as they’ll probably sign lucrative contracts. Let’s look at a few remaining names, including a cornerstone for the defending NFC champions.
Javon Hargrave, Philadelphia Eagles
Hargrave had a career year in Philadelphia in 2022, recording 11 sacks, 16 QB hits, and 10 tackles-for-loss. The former South Carolina State product and pass-rushing force figures to cash in as the arguable headliner of the free-agent DT class.
Dalvin Tomlinson, Minnesota Vikings
The veteran Tomlinson is more of a pure run-stopping nose than the other names on this list. But the 29-year-old still has plenty of upside as an overall disruptor up front.
Dre'Mont Jones, Denver Broncos
One of the more intriguing and versatile DT talents available, Jones received the most significant role of his career last season and flourished. A player who can shift positions on the defensive line while also harassing the QB typically has a ton of value as a free agent.
Zach Allen, Arizona Cardinals
Allen spent two years playing next to the now-retired J.J. Watt, and that time next to an all-time great obviously served him well. Allen’s one of the NFL’s better pure run defenders and is someone with a complete toolbox of pass-rush moves (9.5 sacks, 34 QB hits in the last two seasons).
Poona Ford, Seattle Seahawks
By his standards, Ford had a down year in 2022 and is probably more of a role player than a centerpiece. But someone with his pass-rush skills (27 career QB hits in five seasons) and size usually figures to take advantage of a DL-hungry team.
