Guide
Franchise tags in dynasty fantasy football
A franchise tag retains an expiring player for one more season at a premium salary based on the top salaries at their position in your league. The tag year counts as a final contract year, so you can extend the player during the tag year if you want to keep them long-term. If you don't extend, the player becomes a free agent after the tag year. It is a one-year bridge tool for keeping a key player on your roster when their contract runs out.
How franchise tags work
When a player completes their final contract year, they would normally become a free agent. A franchise tag prevents that by retaining the player for one additional season.
- 1.Eligibility: the player must have completed their final contract year and not already been tagged.
- 2.Window: tags are available after Week 17 through season rollover.
- 3.Salary: the higher of two values: the average salary of the top players at the position (default: top 8), or the player's current salary plus the league's yearly increase percentage. Whichever is greater becomes the tag salary.
- 4.Tag limit: a player can only be tagged once until they're dropped from a roster. Dropping a player resets their contract status, so whoever signs them next can tag them again down the road. Their tag status stays with them through trades.
- 5.During the tag year: the tag year counts as a final contract year, so the player is extension-eligible if they haven't already been extended. You can extend them before the first NFL game kickoff to retain them past the tag.
- 6.After the tag year (if not extended): the player becomes a free agent and is dropped from your roster, which resets their contract status. You can bid to re-sign them in free agency, and whoever signs them can tag them again when that new contract runs out.
Note: franchise tags are off by default (0 tags per team). Commissioners must enable them.
When to use a franchise tag
You need more time to evaluate
A young player had a breakout season but you're not sure if it's sustainable. The tag gives you one more year of data before committing to a long-term deal.
You want one more year before deciding long-term
You are not ready to lose the player but also not ready to commit long-term. The tag gives you one more season, then you can either extend them during the tag year or let them hit free agency where you can bid to re-sign.
The player is elite but aging
A 30-year-old star with one elite season left. The tag keeps them without the risk of a multi-year commitment to a declining player.
You're competing this year
You need one more year from a key player to make a championship run. The tag ensures they don't walk in free agency.
Franchise tag vs extension
| Aspect | Franchise Tag | Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year only | Up to 3 additional years by default (max 4) |
| Cost | Top-of-market (avg of top 8) | Varies (stable or performance-based) |
| When available | After contract expires (Week 17 to rollover) | During final contract year (including the tag year) |
| Uses per player | Once until dropped | Once until dropped |
| Team allocations | Limited per season | Limited per season (default: 1) |
| Best for | Short-term retention, evaluation | Long-term commitment |
Dropping a player resets their contract status. Players whose contracts expire are dropped from rosters too, so whoever signs them next can tag or extend them again.
Concrete example
Tagging a top wide receiver
Your WR1 just finished the last year of a 3-year, $25/year contract. The top 8 WR salaries in your league are: $45, $40, $38, $35, $32, $30, $28, $26.
Tag salary: ($45 + $40 + $38 + $35 + $32 + $30 + $28 + $26) ÷ 8 = $34
Cap impact: $34 for one season (up from $25 on the old contract)
During the tag year: the tag year is a final contract year, so the player is extension-eligible. Extend them before kickoff to keep them past the tag.
After the tag year (if not extended): the player becomes a free agent and is dropped from your roster, which resets their contract status. You'd need to sign them to a new contract through bidding, and they can be tagged again when that contract runs out.
Strategic considerations
- Franchise tags are expensive. They cost top-of-market rates by design. Budget for a tag before counting on it.
- A player can only be tagged once until they're dropped, so treat the tag as a one-year bridge: plan to extend them during the tag year or let them walk.
- If you know you want the player long-term, an extension during their final contract year is almost always cheaper.
- Tags can be valuable trade assets. A tagged player on a one-year deal can be attractive to contending teams.
- The tag window (Week 17 to season rollover) overlaps with offseason planning. Factor tag decisions into your broader cap strategy.