Franchise Tag Deadline Looming, But Will The Baltimore Ravens Use It?

Dec 28, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The first big deadline of the offseason is here, and NFL teams have until 5 pm to either apply the franchise tag to players or risk letting them walk once free agency officially begins on March 10th. Some of the biggest names in the game are likely to get tagged today, including Dez Bryant and Deymarius Thomas.

The Baltimore Ravens are not the kind of club that uses the franchise tag often, most likely because it typically carries a premium price only worthy of premium players. The team really only has two potential candidates for the tag this season – wide receiver Torrey Smith and running back Justin Forsett.

While we won’t know the exact cost of the franchise tag for each player position until the NFL sets the salary cap limit for 2015, we do have some estimates courtesy of Albert Breer from NFL Media. Running backs are estimated to be worth $10.93 million if tagged, and wide receivers will collect $12.80 million. Those numbers are based on the average of the top 5 salaries at their particular position.

So in reality, it doesn’t seem likely that the Ravens will apply the tag to either Torrey Smith or Justin Forsett. While both played key roles on the team last season, neither can be considered top 5 at their respective positions. On top of that, the team is only currently projected to have $3.5 million in free cap space at the moment. Which isn’t to say they can’t go about (and aren’t in the process of) making more room.

The only slightly possible scenario that makes sense is slapping the tag on Torrey Smith if the team is worried that it can’t replace his production via either free agency or the draft. It would allow the Ravens some more time to work out a deal that makes sense to both sides. Teams have until July 15th once they use the franchise tag to negotiate a new deal with players.

Still, it’s hard to see the Ravens tagging Smith in light of their recent comments. Team brass seems content to let him hit the market and watch another team overpay for his services. As tough a pill as that is to swallow for fans, it’s likely the right move to make. But if it makes you nervous, especially considering the team’s lack of a truly special wideout on the current roster, you aren’t the only one.

Next: Latest Baltimore Ravens Salary Cap Update

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