Five Potential Franchise Tag Candidates Patriots Should Keep Eye On

While the Patriots won’t use their franchise tag this offseason, New England will keep tabs on the teams who do.

After all, the Patriots have major needs and can address some through free agency with the most cap space in the NFL. Those tagged by their respective teams become much more difficult to add and take the Patriots out of the running this offseason.

We highlighted five players the Patriots should have their eye on during the franchise tag period, which begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET and closes March 4.

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Obvious, right? Higgins would be the top free agent to hit the open market, but it now seems less likely he’ll get there. Multiple reports Monday indicated the Bengals plan to sign Higgins to a long-term extension. If they can’t agree before the franchise tag window closes on March 4, Cincinnati plans to use its non-exclusive franchise tag on the wideout. It would give Cincy until mid-July to agree with Higgins. The Patriots were expected to be a strong suitor for Higgins if given the chance. They might not get that opportunity.

Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
Stanley is expected to hit the open market given the $25.1 million tag is too rich for Baltimore. The 31-year-old left tackle would then become one of the top players on the open market. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound Stanley allowed two sacks while playing 1,062 snaps at left tackle in 2024, per Pro Football Focus. He could greatly help the Patriots, and New New England can throw big money on a short-term deal. The 33rd Team’s Marcus Mosher predicted Stanley could fetch a two-year, $42 million contract.

Alaric Jackson, Los Angeles Rams
It’ll be interesting to see how the Rams proceed with Jackson, who enters free agency and remains an unlikely option to play on the tag. Perhaps LA uses the tag to give itself more time to come to a long-term deal. Maybe LA will allow Jackson to hit the market and go from there. The undrafted free agent has developed into an impressive left tackle with his massive size (6-foot-7, 345 pounds). He’s just 26 years old and coming off his best season. Spotrac projects Jackson to receive a three-year, $48 million contract. He could be an ideal addition for the Patriots, giving offensive line coach Doug Marrone a chance to develop the Iowa product.

Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Slayton is New York’s top free agent, but he doesn’t measure up the price tag for franchised wideouts. Slayton just concluded a two-year, $12 million deal and Spotrac projects he’ll receive approximately $15.8 million annually on his next deal. The 28-year-old, who caught 50 balls for 770 yards in 2023, could be a viable option for the Patriots. He doesn’t fit the WR1 billing like Higgins but is a solid pass-catcher who’d elevate the talent in New England’s receiver room.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Why should the Patriots care about a quarterback when they have Drake Maye? Well, because teams set to pick before them in the 2025 NFL Draft likely will have their attention on Darnold. If Darnold receives the franchise tag, Minnesota could keep him or try to trade him. But there’s also a chance the Vikings allow Darnold to hit the open market where quarterback-needy teams like the Titans, Browns, Giants and Raiders all would have the opportunity to sign him before April’s draft.

Listen to the full conversation on NESN’s “Foxboro Rush” podcast released on Spotify and YouTube on Wednesday.