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Initially, I didn’t believe that any NFC North player merited a franchise or transition tag. But if Green Bay franchises defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, as the NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora reports, then I wonder if it could be the first of a two-step move.

Two years ago, the Packers used their franchise tag on defensive tackle Corey Williams, retaining his rights as the free agent market began. Ultimately, they traded Williams to Cleveland for a second-round draft pick.

As of Monday, the Packers and Pickett weren’t close to a long-term contract agreement. You wonder if the Packers intend to commit a significant amount of money to Pickett, who turns 31 in October, when 2009 first-round draft choice B.J. Raji essentially plays the same position in the 3-4 scheme. I suppose either player could move to defensive end, but tackle is the ideal spot for both players.

The franchise number for defensive tackles is $7.003 million. I don’t have any inside knowledge on this issue, but it makes some sense if the Packers use the tag as a tool to get a return on Pickett’s eventual departure. The deadline for applying franchise and transition tags is Thursday. As always, stay tuned.

The Packers and the agent of unrestricted free agent nose tackle Ryan Pickett have been talking about a new contract this week, but with no deal yet there is a report that the club will put the franchise tag on him.

Jason LaCanfora of the NFL Network reported that the Packers plan to franchise Pickett if a deal isn't reached before Thursday, the final day NFL teams can put tags on players.

A source familiar with the situation could not say for certain the Packers were going to move in that direction, but thought it was a possibility. It's questionable whether the Packers will be willing to offer Pickett the $7.003 million it takes to put a franchise tag on him given he made just $2.975 million last year.

But Pickett was a key part of the team's No. 1-ranked run defense, and with end Johnny Jolly's status up in the air because of felony criminal charges against him, they may need 2009 first-round pick B.J. Raji to play end.

Several teams have already showed how they value big men by putting franchise tags on them. New England will put the franchise tag on nose tackle Vince Wilfolk and San Francisco did the same on Aubrayo Franklin.

If the Packers put the franchise tag on Pickett, another team would have to give them two first-round draft picks in exchange for signing him. The Packers would have the right to match the offer before taking the two picks.

The Packers could also put the transition tag on him. That would cost them $6.353 million on a one-year deal. Under transition rules, the Packers would not receive any compensation for Pickett, but they would have the right to match.

For an extra $650,000, they probably would be willing to put the franchise tag on him. The threat of the tag could get Pickett and his representative to think harder about accepting a long-term deal before the start of free agency. With the franchise/transition tag, Pickett gets nothing upfront and starts drawing his paycheck when the regular season starts.

Teams like the Packers, Patriots and 49ers may feel that putting the tag on heavy players like Pickett, Wilfolk and Franklin would give them more motivation to stay in shape because they would again be playing for a contract next season. Teams are less and less interested in giving up big signing bonuses to players whose weight issues might lessen their availability.

Pickett is really the only player the Packers would consider for the franchise or transition tags they have. Safety Nick Collins is not because his $3 million salary in 2009 guarantees he'll make more than the highest qualifying offer the team can make to a restricted free agent.

Collins is guaranteed 110% of his $3 million base salary, which comes out to $3.3 million. The right of first refusal plus first- and third-round draft pick compensation comes with a tender of $3.268 million. So if the Packers make the $3.3 million offer, teams would have to give up a first and a third for Collins. That would be ample protection.

Balls2TheWalls wrote:I'm not buying that Kampman is a good fit. He had a lot of tackles, but he is a huge liability in coverage, and a lot of teams were finding ways to get him in coverage. He also was not getting to the QB. He definitely isn't going to be worth the kind of money he is going to want. The only reason you put any sort of tag on him is to force someone to trade with you to get him.

DrugBust wrote:Pickett officially gets the tag.

That's fine.