BuffaLowDown
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
ORCHARD PARK, NY – NOVEMBER 24: Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his sack during the second half against the Denver Broncos at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Denver 20 to 3. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – NOVEMBER 24: Shaq Lawson #90 of the Buffalo Bills celebrates his sack during the second half against the Denver Broncos at New Era Field on November 24, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo beats Denver 20 to 3. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Shaq Lawson

Franchise Tag Salary for DE: $19,316,000

The next player that could be considered for a franchise tag is defensive end Shaq Lawson. He was a first round pick by the Bills in 2016 but only started to show flashes of his potential this past season. He finished the year with career high in solo tackles (21) and sacks (6.5).

While a franchise tag would keep Lawson in Buffalo for another season, it would have to be viewed as a major mistake by this front office, which is something they haven’t had many of to this point.

The reason that a franchise tag of Lawson would be a mistake, is that the Bills elected to not pick up the fifth-year option of the defensive end which was expected to be in the $10 to $11 million range. If they were to go tag Lawson now, it would cost them nearly double.

Home/Buffalo Bills News