What tagging Lamarcus Joyner means for Sammy Watkins, Rams
Cameron DaSilva
[
theramswire.usatoday.com]
For the third year in a row, the Los Angeles Rams have used the franchise tag. And for the third consecutive year, it’ll be placed on a defensive back.
The team announced on Tuesday, less than three hours before the 4 p.m. ET deadline, that it has applied the non-exclusive franchise tag to safety Lamarcus Joyner, almost ensuring he’ll be back in Los Angeles for one more year.
It wasn’t exactly a no-brainer for the Rams because of the fact that Sammy Watkins is also a free agent, but given how impactful Joyner was in his first season as a full-time safety, they couldn’t afford to lose him. As a result, he’ll make $11.287 million in 2018 alone, earning quite the pay day as a former second-round pick.
So, where does this leave the Rams and Watkins? Let’s run through the ripple effect this move is sure to have.
1. The Rams are now up against the clock with Watkins
With Joyner tagged, the front office’s attention will now turn toward Watkins. The legal tampering period begins on March 12, at which point teams can negotiate a contract with Watkins. Free agency officially begins on March 14, which is when deals can be signed.
Watkins has very little reason to sign a long-term deal with the Rams before next Monday, considering how much his price will rise when the bidding war begins.
The #Rams are franchise tagging S Lamarcus Joyner. A top safety is kept in the fold. LA will try to keep WR Sammy Watkins, as well.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2018
2. Los Angeles has about $27.5 million in cap space
Entering Tuesday, the Rams had about $38.8 million in cap space. That was before accounting for the Robert Quinn trade and upcoming release of Tavon Austin. Those two moves will add about $14 million in cap space, but excluding them for now, the Rams have about $27.5 million to spend after tagging Joyner.
3. Teams can still poach Joyner from the Rams
Because Los Angeles used the non-exclusive tag, teams can still talk to Joyner about a contract. If he signs an offer sheet with another team, the Rams have the opportunity to either match it or receive two first-round picks in return. It’s highly unlikely any team would be willing to give up two first-rounders for him, but that would be a nice return for the Rams if he were to get a big offer.
4. Joyner can sign long-term extension until July 16
Joyner hasn’t signed his franchise tender yet, but he has no reason not to. As it stands right now, the Rams have until July 16 to sign him to a long-term extension. If no deal is agreed upon by then, he’ll play the year on the franchise tag with the inability to sign a deal until 2019.
