Breaking: Rams place franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner
Cameron DaSilva
[
theramswire.usatoday.com]
The Los Angeles Rams have decided to place the non-exclusive franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner, which should come as no surprise.
With it being the non-exclusive tag, Joyner can negotiate a contract with another team. If he signs an offer sheet with another team, the Rams will have the chance to match it. If they don’t, they’ll receive two first-round picks in return.
As it stands right now, Joyner will make $11.287 million in 2018, assuming he signs the tender and doesn’t agree to a long-term extension with the Rams before July 16. The Rams were forced to decide between Joyner and Sammy Watkins, but paying the latter nearly $16 million for one season seemed unwise.
With Joyner receiving the tag, Watkins will likely become a free agent on March 14 if no extension is agreed upon before then. The legal tampering period begins on March 12, meaning the other 31 teams are free to negotiate a deal with Watkins at that point.
As for Joyner, he’s coming off of his best season as a pro, and it’s not particularly close. In 12 games as a full-time safety, Joyner pulled down three interceptions, forced a fumble and made 49 tackles. Although he’s put up better numbers in prior years, Joyner finished as Pro Football Focus’ third-best safety in the NFL.
