Today is the Deadline for the Browns or Other NFL Teams to Franchise Tag Players

The deadline for NFL teams to use the franchise (or transition) tag on a player is today, March 2nd, by 4:00 PM ET. Last year, the Cleveland Browns slapped the transition tag on C Alex Mack. This year, the rumor mill has been pretty quiet in regards to the use of a tag on a certain player.

Back in mid-February, we discussed the option of using the tag on TE Jordan Cameron, which would cost about $8.27 million. If the Browns are going to use the tag by the deadline today, I'd expect it to be on him. Lane Adkins of The OBR noted that the team has contemplated using either the transition or franchise tag on one of their players, likely either Cameron or CB Buster Skrine. However, when it comes to Skrine, as much as they want to secure the rights to him for next season, they can't justify it at $12+ million, because that would value him above a guy like CB Joe Haden, who is supposed to be the best of the best.

Today isn't just about paying attention to Browns players, though -- it'll be a big day for general manager Ray Farmer to start really crafting his free agency gameplan if guys like DL Ndamukong Suh and OLB Jerry Hughes are not tagged by Detroit and Buffalo. We will have updates on the Browns' usage of any tag as news comes along.