The NFL still hasn't officially set the salary cap for 2013, meaning that clubs are working off projections on both the cap and franchise-tag figures, with the tag-designation period beginning Monday.
Projections have been distributed to a number of agents recently based on a $121 million salary cap. The final numbers can't be calculated without the cap number being official, because the tag figures work off percentages of the cap. The positional numbers distributed are as follows:
Cornerback: $10.7 million
Defensive end: $11.0 million
Defensive tackle: $8.3 million
Linebacker: $9.4 million
Offensive lineman: $9.7 million
Punter/Kicker: $2.9 million
Quarterback: $14.6 million
Running back: $8.1 million
Safety: $6.8 million
Tight end: $6.0 million
Wide receiver: $10.4 million
One club that will have a big decision to make on the franchise tag going forward is the Baltimore Ravens, which will have to decide whether to put the exclusive or non-exclusive tag on quarterback Joe Flacco. But from a salary-cap standpoint, the Ravens are afforded some time to work things out if they do decide to place the more expensive exclusive tag on Flacco, per rules in the collective bargaining agreement.
The exclusive number -- because it's based on 2013 cap numbers -- won't be set until after the restricted free-agent signing period ends April 19. Until then, an exclusive tag counts against a club's cap at the non-exclusive rate, which means that an exclusive tag on Flacco would cost Baltimore "just" $14.6 million against its cap until then, and give the Ravens more flexibility with which to manage their roster in the time being.
After that, the number would be adjusted up, but the hope would be that a long-term deal would be done by then.
If nothing changes between now and April 19, the exclusive tag on Flacco would cost $20.46 million, the average of the top-five quarterback cap figures for 2013. Those are, in order:
Tom Brady, New England Patriots: $21.55 million
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: $20.82 million
Eli Manning, New York Giants: $20.35 million
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos: $20 million
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: $19.6 million
The exclusive tag figure could rise if another quarterback -- like, for example, Aaron Rodgers -- were to get a new, front-loaded deal. It also could fall if one of the above quarterbacks, perhaps Roethlisberger, renegotiates to help his team out of a tough cap situation. The next quarterback on the above list is Drew Brees ($17.4 million), so if Roethlisberger were to drop off the above list with a reworked deal, in this case, the exclusive tag would fall about $400,000.
Follow Albert Breer on Twitter @AlbertBreer.
