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Jarvis Landry was viewed as one of the top free agent receivers this year, including someone who the Cleveland Browns might have interest in to fortify their receiving corps. But on Tuesday, the Miami Dolphins slapped the franchise tag on him, which will prevent him from hitting the open market on March 14:
We have placed the franchise tag on wide receiver Jarvis Landry.
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 21, 2018
The franchise tag for receivers is expected to be around $16.05 million. It’s possible that Landry refuses to sign it as a bit of a protest in hopes of getting a long-term deal. But the salary is pretty darn good, even if it’s just for one year of security.
And while Cleveland can’t throw bundles of cash at him to lure him to their team now, that doesn’t mean Landry-to-the-Browns is out of the question. As Jeff Darlington points out, the Dolphins could still consider trading Landry:
Be warned about the Dolphins placing the franchise tag on Jarvis Landry: A tag and trade is still a possibility here. All sorts of options remain on the table.
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) February 21, 2018
The one option that wasn’t going to happen all along? Landry leaving on March 14 via free agency.