Patriots' Plan: Tagging and Trading

The Patriots are eagerly watching the NFL franchise tag window, which opens on Tuesday. This window allows teams to use the tag on one of their players. It is a crucial period for the Patriots, who are in desperate need of new talent after two disappointing seasons. The Patriots have the most salary cap space in the league, projected at $128. 69 million. This financial advantage puts them in a strong position to attract top free agents. However, the franchise tag window, which closes on March 4 at 4 p. m. ET, will determine if they can pursue these big names. Several players could receive the tag, including some who might interest the Patriots. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins is a top candidate. If he gets tagged, the Patriots will need to shift their focus to other positions to improve their struggling receiving corps. The franchise tag might not be used much at the wide receiver position. Chris Godwin of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Stefon Diggs of the Houston Texans are the next best options, but neither is likely to get tagged due to the high cost of $25. 7 million. The offensive line class offers more realistic candidates. Ronnie Stanley and Alaric Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Rams, respectively, as well as Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith, could all get tagged. Jackson is the most likely to receive it due to his team's available cap space. Other players to watch include Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zack Baun and New York Jets cornerback D. J. Reed. Both would help the Patriots' depth, but their teams' limited resources might complicate the use of the tag. The Patriots themselves will not use the franchise tag in 2025. After tagging safety Kyle Dugger last offseason, they have no realistic candidates for the tag this year. The Patriots' strategy will be crucial. They need to decide whether to use the tag on their own players or focus on free agency. The franchise tag window is a critical period for the Patriots, who need to make smart decisions to improve their roster. The Patriots' offseason moves will be closely watched. They need to balance their financial resources with their roster needs. The franchise tag window is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting offseason for the Patriots.