Tag Predictions: Tom's Tyrants

With the offseason 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 pre-season 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)


Tom's Tyrants
Le'Veon Bell (6th*): GM Barnes drafted a team mired with injuries come the start of the season, and Bell was no different. But when Bell was back, he was glad he drafted him. Bell put up solid numbers as a rookie for Tom's Tyrants, and at a 6th round tag should continue to do so next season.

Tag likelihood: He'd be crazy not to

Zac Stacy (7th*): Stacy was another guy that Coach Barnes didn't have the luxury of utilising at the start of last season, but was vital to the teams mid-season revival. He carved out a role for the St Louis football club, and he carved one out on Tom's Tyrants as well. At the cost of a 7th round pick, pairing him with Bell for a 6th rounder just makes too much sense.

Tag likelihood: He'd be crazy not to

Adrian Peterson (2nd): Two years ago, GM Barnes took a massive risk drafting Peterson at the end of the third round, who at the time was coming off an ACL tear late in the season. He was rewarded with a career campaign. Last year, he didn't match his numbers, or come close, but was still effective when on the field. I think they find it hard to walk away from Peterson this season.

Tag likelihood: More likely than not

Demaryius Thomas (3rd): Like Peterson, GM Barnes did a fantastic job in the 2012 draft, with another potential re-tag on the cards. Thomas has Peyton Manning slinging him the rock, so he gains automatic WR1 status, yet somehow finds himself 4th on this list. This team has been loaded the past two years, and amazingly I don't think Thomas makes the cut in GM Barnes tag decisions, but it's between him and Peterson in my book.

Tag likelihood: More likely than not

Rob Gronkowski (6th): GM Barnes gave up a lot to get Gronk two seasons ago (a 5th and a 9th), only to get 7 games out of him. Gronkowski has had his injury problems the past few seasons, and I think that, combined with the other talent on Tom's Tyrants roster, is enough for GM Barnes to part ways with Gronk, only a season removed from the trade, despite his cheap cost to keep.

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

Julio Jones (1st): Jones didn't quite make the tag list last year for Tom's Tyrants, but was scooped up with their first pick. I think if GM Barnes wants this guy, he will do the exact same again. Jones should be on the board when he is picking, and has other more valuable tags on the roster, despite his explosiveness.

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

Toby Gerhart (7th*): Gerhart has been playing behind Peterson for 4 years now, and finally gets his shot to start for the Jags. While that sentence might not inspire much excitement for most of us, Coach Barnes is intrigued by the prospect. Ultimately, he isn't going to beat out the others above him on this list, despite his potential.

Tag likelihood: It's not going to happen

Cordarrelle Patterson (7th*): At times, he showed flashes of brilliance in the regular season, and that was enough for GM Barnes to make a lake pick up and keep him on his final day roster. Now with Norval Turner in town, Patterson could be special. But he simply isn't a better option than the people above him on this list.

Tag likelihood: Not a chance

Predicted tags: Le'Veon Bell (6th*), Zac Stacy (7th*), Adrian Peterson (2nd)
What I would do: Le'Veon Bell (6th*), Zac Stacy (7th*), Rob Gronkowski (6th)