According to a recent report, the Miami Dolphins will use the non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver Jarvis Landry. That could create waves in the NFL Draft.
The Miami Dolphins entered the 2018 offseason with a crucial decision to make about star wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Landry has been one of the most productive players in the NFL during his four-year career, routinely ranking amongst the league’s elite in receptions.
Mere weeks before Landry was set to enter free agency, however, Miami ensured that it wouldn’t lose him without significant compensation.
The franchise tag can be as rewarding as it can be polarizing for players who are eligible for free agency. For the other 31 teams in the NFL, however, the franchise tag can test how committed they are to adding said player to their roster.
According to Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald, the Dolphins will likely use the non-exclusive franchise tag on Landry—a move that will cost roughly $16 million.
The Miami Dolphins likely using franchise tag on WR Jarvis Landry. It will be non-exlcusive tag, costing approximately $16M. Any other team wanting to sign Landry would have to yield first-round pick.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) February 21, 2018
The Dolphins later confirmed the report via the team’s official Twitter account.
We have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Jarvis Landry.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 21, 2018
31 other franchises will still have an opportunity to acquire Landry, but doing so would cost them two first-round draft picks.
Landry will inevitably intrigue general managers, as he’s a productive possession receiver in the prime of his career. During his four NFL seasons, the 25-year-old has produced a total of 400 receptions, 4,038 receiving yards, and 22 touchdowns.
In 2017, Landry produced career-highs in receptions (112) and receiving touchdowns (9), and tied a career-high in first downs (60).
Unfortunately for the teams that were hoping to pry Landry away from the Dolphins, signing the former LSU Tigers star just became significantly more difficult to do.
It’s also become more time sensitive.
For Miami, paying roughly $16 million to retain Landry’s services implies that it could be thinking quarterback in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. That belief is strengthened by the fact that it reportedly met with coveted quarterback prospect Josh Allen.
Ryan Tannehill may still be the Dolphins’ preferred quarterback, but the odds aren’t working in his favor. Miami will either receive multiple first-round draft picks for Landry or draft a quarterback to get him the ball.
Achieving the latter may be the only way to keep Landry beyond the 2018 season.
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The question is: How much longer will three-time Pro Bowl selectee Jarvis Landry remain a member of the Miami Dolphins?