The NFL franchise tag window swung open Tuesday, and the clock is now ticking. All 32 teams have until 4 p.m. ET on March 3 to decide whether to slap the designation on their most valuable pending unrestricted free agents — a two-week stretch that could reshape rosters, redirect careers and set the financial tone heading into the new league year. Kenneth Walker III and 6 others could soon find out exactly where they stand.
- The Top Franchise Tag Candidates for 2026
- 1. George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys — $28.037M
- 2. Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts — $47.242M
- 3. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons — $16.007M
- 4. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets — $14.186M
- 5. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks — $14.186M
- 6. Odafe Oweh, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers — $27.6M
- 7. Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Philadelphia Eagles — $26.71M
The tag itself is a versatile tool. Teams can use their single allotted designation to lock a player into a one-year, fully guaranteed salary or buy negotiating time before the long-term extension deadline hits in mid-July. Some organizations may even apply it with trade intentions in mind, with draft compensation varying based on whether they choose an exclusive or non-exclusive tag.
The mechanism saw minimal action in 2025, with only two teams pulling the trigger. The Cincinnati Bengals tagged wide receiver Tee Higgins, while the Kansas City Chiefs locked up guard Trey Smith. Both situations eventually gave way to lucrative multi-year extensions — a reminder that the tag is often a stepping stone rather than a final destination.
Here is a look at the seven players most likely to feel the weight of that designation before March 3 arrives.
The Top Franchise Tag Candidates for 2026
1. George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys — $28.037M
Pickens enters this window as the most compelling tag candidate on the board. After arriving from Pittsburgh, the wide receiver delivered a breakout season in Dallas playing alongside CeeDee Lamb, emerging as a big-play weapon and red zone threat that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer built his scheme around. His chemistry with Dak Prescott makes him too valuable to let walk, and the Cowboys acquired him precisely for this role.
2. Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts — $47.242M
The quarterback tag carries the steepest price, and the Colts face a genuinely complex decision. Jones showed promise running Shane Steichen’s offense before a torn Achilles cut his first Indianapolis season to just 13 games. Using the tag as a placeholder while he finishes his recovery makes practical sense — provided the organization believes no available veteran quarterback can execute this system as effectively.
3. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons — $16.007M
At this price point, the tight end tag for Pitts is one of the more reasonable investments on the list. New offensive leadership in Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees has a track record of maximizing tight end production — their work with Cleveland’s pass-catchers speaks for itself. Whether Michael Penix Jr. or another quarterback is taking snaps under center, Pitts has already proven he is a foundational passing game piece.
4. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets — $14.186M
The Jets are in full rebuild mode, making this a genuinely difficult call. Hall was unquestionably their best offensive player in 2025, and letting him leave would compound an already thin unit. But committing over $14 million to a running back while still searching for a franchise quarterback is a tension the front office cannot ignore.
5. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks — $14.186M
The calculus in Seattle shifted dramatically once Zach Charbonnet suffered a devastating knee injury in the playoffs. Walker’s workhorse performance — capped by a Super Bowl LX MVP — validated everything the Seahawks believed about him. With significant cap space available and a willingness to let pricier defenders walk, the $14.186 million tag suddenly feels manageable.
6. Odafe Oweh, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers — $27.6M
Oweh’s midseason arrival from Baltimore proved to be one of the shrewdest moves of the 2025 campaign. In 12 games with the Chargers, he posted 7.5 sacks, finally delivering on the pass-rush upside that made him the 31st overall pick in 2021. New defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary has found his edge piece — keeping him tagged protects that investment.
7. Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Philadelphia Eagles — $26.71M
Phillips landed in Philadelphia as part of Miami’s roster teardown and immediately looked at home. Over eight games, he recorded five sacks and generated consistent pressure as an outside linebacker tailor-made for Vic Fangio’s defensive system. At just under $27 million, retaining him via the tag is a move the Eagles cannot afford to pass on.
Source: Information adapted from The Sporting News via Yahoo Sports
