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Buffalo Bills: Breaking down options for the franchise tag

By Brandon Croce

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 8: Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates a tackle during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 8: Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates a tackle during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens at New Era Field on December 8, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 06: Jordan Phillips #97 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after sacking quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 06: Jordan Phillips #97 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates after sacking quarterback Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on October 06, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Jordan Phillips

Franchise Tag Salary for DT: $15,500,000

The first player that the Buffalo Bills could consider for the franchise tag would be defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. He had a monster season for the Bills once he stepped in for the injured Harrison Phillips and led the team in sacks with 9.5, which was more than he had in the previous three years in the league.

Phillips was a second round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2015 but was released during the 2018 season. The Bills claimed him off waivers and then signed him to a one-year deal last offseason.

If the Bills were to franchise tag Phillips would be a substantial pay increase for Phillips who had a cap hit of $4.5 million this past season.

While the Bills would have the cap space to tag Phillips, it may not be the wisest way to spend the dollars. The only likely scenario that would make sense to use the tag is if the team signed the other two players on this list to long term deals and didn’t feel confident in Harrison Phillips contributing in 2020.

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