Which pending Patriots free agents are the best candidates for the franchise tag?

Author Alex Barth

February 22nd, 2021 11:02 AM

Entering the 2021 offseason, the Patriots have as much money to spend as any year in recent memory. They’re currently projected to have just over $63 million in cap space, which is the third most in the NFL and $20 million more than the next closest team.

The Patriots being flush with cash doesn’t just mean they can be more aggressive in free agency, it could also allow them to bring back more of their internal free agents than they usually would.

They’re even in a position to use the franchise tag without a major financial burden. When Bill Belichick franchised Joe Thuney last year (his first use of the tag since 2015), it put the Patriots right up against the cap limit. This year, even the most expensive tag will leave them with top 10 cap space.

In terms of the Patriots’ pending free agents in 2021, it’s not a very strong year to project the franchise tag being used. While they have a large number of players with expiring contracts (27), few fit the mold of a player the team would typically tag.

• Joe Thuney

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  Bill Belichick has used the franchise tag 10 times in his Patriots career, but never on the same player in back-to-back years. Is Joe Thuney worthy of being the first? In terms of pure skill, absolutely. But with Shaq Mason locked up and Michael Onwenu looking ready for a starting role, the smarter play may be to use that money elsewhere. However, if the Patriots want to keep Onwenu at right tackle, then there is a case for tagging Thuney. (Projected OL franchise tag: $14.5 million)

• David Andrews

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  David Andrews is crucial to the Patriots offense, especially if they want to maintain the same power run heavy attack they ran with Cam Newton. His value to the offense, and team as a whole as a leader, was made very apparent by the time he missed in 2019 and 2020. If the Patriots don’t want to risk losing the 28-year-old, they could tag him and buy time to work on a long-term extension. (Projected OL franchise tag: $14.5 million)

• Nick Folk

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  Bill Belichick isn’t afraid to use the franchise tag on a kicker. In fact, he tagged Adam Vinatieri twice - once in 2002 and the other in 2005. In an offseason with weak kicker classes in both free agency and the draft, bringing back the 36-year-old Folk may be the Patriots’ best option. The only potential downside is the contract is fully guaranteed, so if Justin Rohrwasser turns things around in camp, it would lead to the difficult decision of eating the whole contract, moving on from the young kicker, or keeping two kickers on the roster. (Projected K franchise tag: $4.7 million)
• No franchise tag used

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  Given their options, and the pricey nature of using the tag, it’s hard to picture the Patriots franchise tagging any of their pending free agents this year. That being said, it seems like Belichick tends to use the franchise tag when it’s least expected (like he did in 2020). If he does, it’s highly likely it will be on one of the three players above.

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Author Alex Barth

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Alex Barth,Bill Belichick,David Andrews,Franchise Tag,joe thuney,New England Patriots,NFL,Nick Folk,patriots,patriots offseason 2021