2025 NFL franchise tag candidates for all 32 teams: Sam Darnold among players who could possibly be tagged
2025 NFL franchise tag candidates for all 32 teams: Sam Darnold among players who could possibly be tagged
**2025 NFL Franchise Tag Candidates for All 32 Teams: Sam Darnold Among Players Who Could Be Tagged**
As the 2025 NFL season nears its franchise tag deadline, the league’s teams are gearing up to make critical decisions on whether to tag key players for one more year or allow them to test free agency. With so many rising stars and established veterans potentially on the move, the franchise tag could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of multiple NFL teams. Among the potential candidates for the tag this season, former No. 3 overall pick Sam Darnold is generating significant attention, but he’s far from the only player in line to get the tag.
Here’s a breakdown of some notable franchise tag candidates for all 32 NFL teams in 2025.
### **AFC East**
1. **Buffalo Bills – Tremaine Edmunds (LB)**
The Bills have long relied on Edmunds to anchor their defense, and given his consistency and leadership, tagging him would provide stability.
2. **Miami Dolphins – Mike Gesicki (TE)**
Gesicki is a key target for the Dolphins’ offense, and with his ability to stretch the field, they may opt to use the tag to keep him around for another season.
3. **New England Patriots – JC Jackson (CB)**
After a standout stint with the Chargers, Jackson could be tagged to keep the secondary strong for the Patriots.
4. **New York Jets – Sam Darnold (QB)**
While Darnold’s tenure with the Jets has been tumultuous, the team may consider tagging him for one more year, especially with the uncertainty surrounding their quarterback position. Given that he’s shown flashes of talent but never fully realized his potential, a franchise tag could give the Jets one final chance to evaluate Darnold in their system.
### **AFC North**
5. **Baltimore Ravens – Lamar Jackson (QB)**
Lamar Jackson remains one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL. If no long-term deal is reached, the Ravens will likely use the tag to keep him in the fold for one more season.
6. **Cincinnati Bengals – Tee Higgins (WR)**
The Bengals might use the franchise tag to retain Higgins, who is a reliable playmaker alongside Ja’Marr Chase, especially if contract negotiations take longer than expected.
7. **Cleveland Browns – Denzel Ward (CB)**
Ward has been one of the top corners in the league, and the Browns could franchise tag him to ensure their defensive secondary remains intact.
8. **Pittsburgh Steelers – Cam Heyward (DT)**
As one of the top defensive players on the Steelers roster, Heyward could be tagged to keep him for one more season as they continue to rebuild.
### **AFC South**
9. **Houston Texans – Brandin Cooks (WR)**
Cooks has been a consistent threat for Houston, and with the franchise tag, the Texans can keep him as a veteran presence for their developing offense.
10. **Indianapolis Colts – Darius Leonard (LB)**
Leonard’s importance to the Colts’ defense makes him a candidate for the tag, keeping him in the fold as a cornerstone for their defense.
11. **Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Engram (TE)**
Engram has proven to be a reliable weapon for the Jaguars, and tagging him could secure his services for Trevor Lawrence’s continued development.
12. **Tennessee Titans – Jeffrey Simmons (DT)**
A force on the Titans’ defensive line, Simmons could be tagged to keep their defense strong for another year.
### **AFC West**
13. **Denver Broncos – Bradley Chubb (OLB)**
Chubb has been a key player on the Broncos defense, and using the franchise tag would keep him as a primary edge rusher for another season.
14. **Kansas City Chiefs – Orlando Brown Jr. (OT)**
The Chiefs may use the franchise tag on Brown to ensure Patrick Mahomes has the protection he needs on the offensive line.
15. **Las Vegas Raiders – Josh Jacobs (RB)**
Jacobs has been a workhorse for the Raiders, and tagging him could keep their rushing attack strong for another year.
16. **Los Angeles Chargers – Mike Williams (WR)**
Williams has proven to be an essential part of Justin Herbert’s offense, and a franchise tag would allow the Chargers to retain his big-play ability for another season.
### **NFC East**
17. **Dallas Cowboys – Tony Pollard (RB)**
Pollard’s rise as a key weapon for the Cowboys offense makes him a prime candidate for the franchise tag.
18. **New York Giants – Daniel Jones (QB)**
The Giants may tag Jones to ensure one more season of evaluation as they look to build around their young quarterback.
19. **Philadelphia Eagles – Javon Hargrave (DT)**
Hargrave’s impact on the defensive line could lead to the Eagles tagging him to keep their defense strong for another season.
20. **Washington Commanders – Daron Payne (DT)**
Payne has been an anchor on Washington’s defensive line, and they could use the tag to retain his services for one more year.
### **NFC North**
21. **Chicago Bears – Roquan Smith (LB)**
Smith remains one of the best linebackers in the league, and the Bears are likely to franchise tag him to maintain their defensive backbone.
22. **Detroit Lions – Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR)**
St. Brown has been a revelation for the Lions’ offense, and the team could tag him to lock down their rising star for one more year.
23. **Green Bay Packers – Davante Adams (WR)**
While Green Bay has had mixed results with Adams in the past, tagging him could ensure they keep one of the league’s premier wide receivers on the roster.
24. **Minnesota Vikings – Dalvin Cook (RB)**
Cook’s explosive playmaking ability makes him a prime candidate for the franchise tag, allowing the Vikings to keep their ground game intact.
### **NFC South**
25. **Atlanta Falcons – Grady Jarrett (DT)**
Jarrett is one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL, and the Falcons could tag him to keep their defensive front strong.
26. **Carolina Panthers – DJ Moore (WR)**
Moore’s importance as the top receiving target for the Panthers could lead the team to franchise tag him for another season.
27. **New Orleans Saints – Marcus Williams (S)**
Williams has been a steady presence in the secondary for the Saints, and a franchise tag could ensure they keep him for another year.
28. **Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chris Godwin (WR)**
Godwin’s connection with quarterback Tom Brady was key to the Buccaneers’ success. Even with Brady’s departure, the franchise tag could help them maintain their offensive firepower.
### **NFC West**
29. **Arizona Cardinals – Kyler Murray (QB)**
If no long-term deal is reached, the Cardinals could franchise tag their star quarterback to secure his services for another year.
30. **Los Angeles Rams – Jalen Ramsey (CB)**
One of the best cornerbacks in the league, Ramsey is a prime candidate for the franchise tag to help the Rams stay competitive in the NFC West.
31. **San Francisco 49ers – Fred Warner (LB)**
As a key part of the 49ers’ defense, Warner could be tagged to maintain their defensive strength for another season.
32. **Seattle Seahawks – DK Metcalf (WR)**
Metcalf has quickly established himself as one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and the Seahawks may tag him to ensure he stays in Seattle for another year.
### Conclusion
With the 2025 NFL franchise tag deadline fast approaching, teams are faced with the difficult decision of whether to use the tag on players who are integral to their future success. While some of these decisions may come down to negotiations and contract extensions, many of the players listed above are likely to find themselves tagged for one more season. For players like Sam Darnold, this could be a crucial year in proving their value to their teams, while others will look to use the tag as a stepping stone toward long-term stability
