NFL Franchise Tag 2016: Top 5 New York Giants Candidates

Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during warm ups before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) during warm ups before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Josh Brown

Brown very well could see his long-awaited Pro Bowl campaign punctuated by a shafting franchise tag.

Knowing how special teams continue to win or lose games at a perpetually inexpensive rate, he seems to be the clear and safe choice to the point of a copout.

Tagged kickers are projected to earn $4.5 million, half of the only other position marked under $10 million (tight end at $9.1 million). This is familiar territory for the Giants, who used the tag on punter Steve Weatherford back in 2012.

More from NY Giants Free Agency

Of course, especially with their cap space, New York can easily crank out a multi-year deal competing with the likes of Stephen Gostkowski and Robbie Gould and feel comfortable afterwards. Brown assuredly deserves cash and security after notching 30-32 field goals in 2015 and all three attempts from 50+ yards out.

It’s simply a matter of smooth and swift negotiating, whether Reese is keen to the notion of locking up a 36-year-old long term or if Brown wishes to gain such elsewhere. The fit appears contently established for one of the few facets of the game fans generally wouldn’t need to worry about in 2016.

Still, regarding any pressure at all to employ the franchise tag, there are blatantly bigger targets.

Next: THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU