Fansided

NFL franchise tag 2021: 10 players most likely to be tagged

By Mike Phillips

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 07: Shaquil Barrett #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium on February 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 08: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 08, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – NOVEMBER 08: Justin Simmons #31 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception during the third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on November 08, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

6. Franchise tag candidates – Broncos S Justin Simmons

Most modern NFL teams tend not to pay a lot for a safety unless that player is a true-game wrecker. One player who fits that mold is Simmons, who was franchise-tagged by the Broncos a year ago.

Simmons justified the tag by delivering his first Pro Bowl campaign in 2020, racking up a career-high five interceptions to go along with 96 tackles. There are few complete safeties in the NFL and Simmons is one of them, a fact that should help him get paid handsomely if he does hit the open market.

Denver has made it clear they want to reach a long-term deal with Simmons but a second tag is an option if they can’t get a contract done. Tagging Simmons again would pay him a shade under $14 million for 2021, a bargain for a player of his caliber.

The main purpose of the tag would be to ensure that the Broncos have more time to agree to the long-term extension needed for Simmons. There appears to be little chance that Simmons won’t be in Denver next season.

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