Tag Predictions: Forge Flyers & ADRZ

With the off season being a long, cruel mistress, I thought it would be fun to evaluate A) the potential players who could be franchise tagged, B) the likelihood of said players being tagged (barring preseason injury), C) predicting the three eventual tags, and D) saying what I would do if it were me. Let's get to it (boy it feels good to be writing these again)!

(NOTE: * indicates either free agent or 6+ round pick, only one of these players in each category may be selected per team)


Forge Flyers
Jimmy Graham (2nd): One of the elite 3 TE's (and the positions best last season), Graham gave much needed assistance to Forge Flyers down the stretch last season. After executing a trade (sending a lofty pick to TDT), Graham isn't going anywhere else, except back to Coach Leach this year. He would be crazy to walk away from such a big investment now.

Tag likelihood: It's a lock

Toby Gerhart (7th*): After sending a 6th round pick to Tom's Tyrants the other day to secure Gerharts' services, Forge Flyers are obviously now tagging him. They have paid a hefty price this year to bring in keepers, and will be left extremely short handed on draft day, so for their sake Gerhart and Graham need to be worth the investment.

Tag likelihood: It's a lock

Brandon Marshall (2nd): A guy that has suited up for Coach Leach 2 years straight now, I find it hard to believe he will go anywhere else. On some other teams in the league, Marshall is a good candidate to be let go, due to his high cost (which will be a 1st and a 2nd with Jimmy Graham). But, this team is short of options to some degree, so it makes sense to bring him back.

Tag likelihood: More likely than not

Steven Jackson (6th): After being a tagged free agent, Jackson's first full season in Forge town was less than ideal. Going on 31 now, Jackson's fantasy outlook is murky (at least as the whole show in the backfield). Be that as it may, he is currently the only viable back on the Falcon's roster, and given a chance could put up numbers.

Tag likelihood: It’s definitely possible

DeSean Jackson (4th): Jackson was a revelation for Forge Flyers last season, being a key part of their winning season. However, he will be donning a new uniform in the NFL this year and likely in the LOC as well. GM Leach still likes this guy, but not enough to tag him.

Tag likelihood: It would take a lot to make this happen

Predicted tags: Jimmy Graham (2nd), Brandon Marshall (2nd), Toby Gerhart (7th*)
What I would do: Jimmy Graham (2nd), Brandon Marshall (2nd), Toby Gerhart (7th)


ADRZ
Calvin Johnson (1st): GM Wells gave up a pretty penny in order to secure Johnson's services for only a handful of games last season, and because of that, they are essentially locked into tagging him. You don't just give up a 3rd round pick for a few games. If anyone can warrant this kind of investment, it's Johnson, who should definitely provide the points to make this deal worthwhile.

Tag likelihood: It's a lock

Marshawn Lynch (4th): Lynch has been one of the best backs in the league over the past couple of seasons, and has been a lock in the ADRZ roster as well. He will be turning 28 and may get a down tick in production, but is still well worth the 4th round pick. The ADRZ wagon will be hitched to Marshawn Lynch for at least one more season.

Tag likelihood: It's a lock

Alshon Jeffery (7th*): Jeffery emerged as one of the best receivers in fantasy last season, and after getting bounced around on a few LOC rosters, blossomed when he landed with ADRZ. At only a 7th round tag, Jeffery has the potential to emerge into a premier receiver for ADRZ.

Tag likelihood: He'd be crazy not to

Michael Floyd (7th*): Like Jeffery, Floyd emerged as a fantastic option at times in 2013, and ADRZ cashed in. To boot, Coach Wells is a Cardinals fan, so he would love to bring in a player of his own. However, compared to Jeffery, he just isn't quite at the same level yet, so he will end up going down the Jeffery route before this one.

Tag likelihood: Makes a lot of sense, but not quite

Eric Decker (6th*): Decker was somewhat of a headache for Coach Wells last year. He was plenty busy with Manning throwing him the ball, but his point total was wildly sporadic (not to mention he was riding the pine for ADRZ when he dropped 40 points). Now in New York, he is nowhere near as attractive an option, especially compared to GM Wells' alternatives.

Tag likelihood: It's not happening

Predicted tags: Calvin Johnson (1st), Marshawn Lynch (4th), Alshon Jeffery (7th*)
What I would do: Calvin Johnson (1st), Marshawn Lynch (4th), Alshon Jeffery (7th)