I don’t get the quandary.

Joyner at FS was at least semi elite last year. Smart teams don’t lose such players over small salary differences. Moreover, a competitive salary offer would be just a tick less than his tag amount. IOW, why waste a tag over a lousy million or so? Pay him his $10-11 million for 5 years and move on to other players.

Joyner should be happy with something like that considering the security and injury insurance factor versus a 1 year tag. Win-win.

Watkins? Didn’t have anywhere close to a semi elite season. Offer him his $10 million on a one year prove it with encentives. He can take it or leave it. Then both sides can revisit next year when the results are in. Another win-win.

Burning a tag on Watkins wastes $6 million over his earned value. A far larger amount over value than Joyner’s would be.

In my scenario there would be no franchise tag this year.