NFL franchise tag 2020: 10 players most likely to be tagged

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass while being pressured by Shaun Dion Hamilton #51 of the Washington Redskins in the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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Brandon Scherff, Washington Redskins. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

7. Brandon Scherff

Many of the same points we discussed with Anthony Castonzo apply with Brandon Scherff. The Redskins tried to lock up the two-time Pro Bowler before the season, but talks never got far.

Scherff does have an injury history, but when he is healthy Scherff is one of the top interior linemen in the NFL. There is no distinction between interior linemen and tackles with the franchise tag, so Scherff would be in line to earn just under $15 million in 2020 if he is tagged.

It is rare to see a guard earn that kind of cash, but Scherff’s situation with the Redskins is a unique one. Washington already has one disgruntled offensive linemen in Trent Williams, who sat out an entire season after getting into a dispute with the organization.

New head coach Ron Rivera has extended an olive branch to Williams, which is a smart move since he is a talented football player. Repairing this relationship is complicated, however, so a lot still has to happen before Williams comes back to the franchise.

With that much uncertainty with the left tackle position, Washington can ill afford to let another talented lineman walk out the door. The Redskins may not want to give Scherff that much money for one season, but if they don’t tag him another team happily will.

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