The New Orleans Saints aren't frequent users of the NFL's franchise tag option, but there are several players who that could be an option for this season.
The last time the Saints used the tag to retain a player was with safety Marcus Williams in the 2021 season. He was tagged and paid a 1-year salary of $10.6 million for the season. The tag becomes progressively more expensive each year it's used, and he ultimately went to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency prior to the 2022 season.
The cost of the franchise tag varies by position and is calculated based on the average of the top five salaries at the position over the past five seasons, or 120% of the player's previous salary, if that number is higher. The cost goes up for different types of tag, including the exclusive tag, which means teams could not negotiate with that player. That would be based on the top five current salaries at the position in just the previous year. Other teams could sign a franchise tagged player, though it is incredibly rare and would net two first-round picks to the team that used the tag.
The transition tag is more cost-effective in that is based on an average of the top 10 salaries at the position, but the player can negotiate with other teams and there is no compensation of the original team opts to not match an offer.
Here's the breakdown of the franchise tag costs by position for the 2023 season:
- QB: $32.4 million
- LB: $20.9 million
- WR: $19.7 million
- DE: $19.7 million
- DT: $18.9 million
- OL: $18.2 million
- CB: $18.1 million
- S: $14.4 million
- TE: $11.3 million
- RB: $10.1 million
- K/P: $5.3 million
Teams can only use one such tag per season. The window for assigning them opened on Feb. 21 and runs through March 7.
With that in mind, here are four of the Saints' impending free agents who could be options for the franchise tag, and the cost it would take to keep them.
CB Bradley Roby
- Age: 30
- 2022 AAV: $10.5M
- Tag cost: $18.1M
- 2022 stats: 13 games played (10 starts); 36 tackles (29 solo); 5 passes defensed; 2 fumble recoveries
NOTES: This is an interesting decision, because the Saints saw first-hand just how quickly the ranks can thin out at cornerback with injuries. CJ Gardner-Johnson was sent to the Eagles, and each of Paulson Adebo, Marshon Lattimore and Roby missed time with injuries. Veteran Chris Harris Jr. was signed to the practice squad but played legitimate snaps throughout the year alongside rookie Alontae Taylor. If you let Roby walk, you'll need to bring in quality depth behind him. If you're able to do that at a reasonable number, great. But what if you aren't? Roby played well when healthy and is more than capable in a slot role. At 30, it's possible that an $18 million price tag for one season is the most cost-effective play.
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DT David Onyemata
- Age: 30
- 2022 AAV: $8.6M
- Tag cost: $18.9M
- 2022 stats: 17 games played (17 starts); 43 tackles (25 solo); 11 QB hits; 5 sacks
NOTES: For David and the next name on this list, one reason you might be tempted to use the franchise tag is to avoid having to line up against them twice next year. Former co-DC and DL coach Ryan Nielsen is the new DC with the Falcons, and it's not hard to envision a scenario where he brings along a few familiar faces to help him install his new system up in Atlanta. If the Saints aren't willing to commit to a new deal for Onyemata, I see him as the most likely candidate to land a tag. He's probably on the backside of his career at this point, but he's durable and seemed to improve as the season went along. With the exception of the 6-game suspension he served in 2021, he's played in 106 of 108 possible games. That's impressive for anyone, let along a man constantly battling in the trenches. That said, he has seen his production wane the last two seasons, and you might not want to commit long-term. With the interior defensive line already thin, I don't want to lose David, so I'm heavily considering a tag if he's not amenable to a short-term deal.
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DE Marcus Davenport
- Age: 26
- 2022 AAV: $3.4M
- Tag cost: $19.7M
- 2022 stats: 15 games played (9 starts); 29 tackles (16 solo); 8 QB hits; 0.5 sacks
NOTES: OK, I get it. Going an entire season without even one full sack for a first-round pick in a contract year is ... rough. It's certainly not something that makes you jump out of your seat to pay nearly $20 million to the guy. Still, the argument is easy to make that we know the talent is there, and he's another player who you don't want to see lining up against you in a revenge game next season. Maybe a 1-year deal and a re-do at that contract season is the best option for both sides? Maybe new DL coach Todd Grantham can rebuild the confidence for the guy who notched 9 sacks in 11 games in the 2021 season? The positive thing for Davenport is he appeared in 15 games last season, the most of his career. If he lands a tag and balls out, great. If he doesn't, well, you're only committed for one season and you can move on. I just have a feeling this team doesn't want to punt on a player they believed in enough to trade forward in the 2018 draft for. And they certainly don't want to see him return to form in Atlanta.
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LB Kaden Elliss
- Age: 27
- 2022 AAV: $649K
- Tag cost: $20.9M
- 2022 stats: 17 games played (11 starts); 78 tackles (43 solo); 10 QB hits; 7 sacks; 2 forced fumbles
NOTES: I have Kaden on here because he's obviously an option, but if the Saints can't work out a multi-year deal with the homegrown linebacker I'd be incredibly disappointed. That's due in part to the fact that tagging him would be wildly costly in its own right. Elliss is the type of player you want to keep around. You drafted him. You developed him. You keep him in-house. All that said, one route to getting that deal done could be to give him a tag to effectively prevent other teams from negotiating with him until you'd have your say. If that's the strategy the Saints employed, I'd condone it.
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FINAL THOUGHTS
The Saints have already started restructure season with adjustment to safety Marcus Maye and center Erik McCoy's deals, but still have about $46 million to clear. They'll be able to get to that point with relative ease based on the restructures still available to them, but it does make for some hurdles in the free agent market. Will they go all-in for Derek Carr? How much extra space can they free up to accommodate a franchise tag on top of that? Also keep in mind they'll have to free up enough to sign their rookies and any other free agents, such as a veteran WR. The most likely outcome is no tags are used, at least not for the purpose of expecting a player to actually play on it. That said, I see the most likely candidate as David Onyemata. The defensive interior was probably the thinnest on the Saints' roster last season, and that won't be improving with both he and Kentavius Street hitting free agency. Can you really afford to lose your most consistent contributor at a position where you're already thin? Even if you dedicate draft assets there, will you be committing to rookies and UDFAs to anchor the DL?
Bear in mind, the Saints were in even more significant salary cap straits when they used a franchise tag on Marcus Williams two seasons ago. DT is one of the cheaper tags available and also would keep DO away from Atlanta. I think it might just fit if the Saints opt to go that route.
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