National media outlet names the top franchise tag candidate for the Buffalo Bills
Pro Football Focus named the top franchise tag candidate for each NFL team this offseason (if applicable, some teams don't have a logical candidate) and they went with a defensive option for the Buffalo Bills. PFF's Brad Spielberger feels like linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is the Bills' top franchise tag candidate. According to Spielberger, that would […]
Pro Football Focus named the top franchise tag candidate for each NFL team this offseason (if applicable, some teams don't have a logical candidate) and they went with a defensive option for the Buffalo Bills.
PFF's Brad Spielberger feels like linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is the Bills' top franchise tag candidate.
According to Spielberger, that would cost Buffalo around $20,926,000 in 2023.
Because the linebacker designation includes outside linebackers who are predominantly edge rushers, the number here exceeds the average annual value of the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the NFL — the Baltimore Ravens‘ Roquan Smith at $20 million.
Edmunds is coming off a career year and is starting to look like the talent Buffalo envisioned when trading up in the first round in 2018. That may make it challenging for the Bills to let him walk despite this lofty price tag, but it would prove to be very difficult amid the other deficiencies across their roster that need addressing.
Edmunds’s 121 run-defense stops over his first five seasons rank 10th among off-ball linebackers, his 57 tackles for loss or no gain rank eighth and his 18 pass breakups rank tied for sixth.
Jordan Poyer could be another choice for the franchise tag.
But that seems unlikely — specifically because Edmunds is more likely to have a longterm future in Buffalo (Edmunds is eight years younger than Poyer).
Bills general manager Brandon Beane seemed to indicate earlier this offseason that keeping Edmunds will be a priority.
"Draft, develop, re-sign. Like where that guy has gone is, he's just been amazing to watch his growth…very proud of who he is," said Beane.
I'm sure the Bills will try to first extend Edmunds, but if that doesn't happen, then the franchise tag certainly seems likely.
Featured image via Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
