Six players get franchise tag designation with assured one year salary

Kicker Robbie Gould and five pass rushers -- DeMarcus Lawrence, Jadeveon Clowney, Grady Jarrett, Frank Clark and Dee Ford -- received the franchise designation before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET deadline. The tag assures a one-year salary for 2019 at top dollar relative to players at the same position if the sides cannot reach a long-term extension by the July 15 deadline.

Left tackle Donovan Smith and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers negotiated a three-year deal announced Tuesday to avoid the franchise dance. Two veterans at one time thought to be under consideration for the tag, which essentially blocks players from free agency, avoided the marker: Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell and Giants safety Landon Collins.

Bell skipped last season altogether after being tagged the past two offseasons. Collins, 25, has been to the Pro Bowl three of his four seasons since entering the NFL as a second-round pick out of Alabama. He could command a staggering contract in free agency -- along with former Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas -- but the Giants opted not to guarantee more than $11 million in 2019 and bypassed the franchise designation.

Slightly less surprising: the Ravens opted not to use the franchise tag on linebacker C.J. Mosley. But coach John Harbaugh said the team hopes to keep Mosley, drafted 17th overall in 2014, in Baltimore. Negotiations are ongoing, per reports. Dallas Cowboys pass rusher Lawrence, Texans outside linebacker Clowney, Falcons defensive tackle Jarrett, Seahawks defensive lineman Clark and Chiefs outside linebacker Ford could all sign long-term deals but their prospects for those riches vary.

Lawrence is reportedly perturbed by the repeat tag and has no intention to report without a long-term deal in Dallas. Dallas tagged Lawrence last season, when he made $17.1 million. He would earn $20.5 million under the franchise tag in 2019.

Ford could be traded, according to reports, if the right offer comes along. The Chiefs are switching from a 3-4 base defense to a 4-3 under new coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, with Ford likely moving to defensive end if he stays with Kansas City.

Ford, 27, has 30.5 career sacks in five seasons, all with the Chiefs, including a personal-best 13 in 2018. He also forced a league-high seven fumbles. The one-year franchise tag for linebackers is worth $15,443,000 in 2019.

A non-exclusive tag means Clowney can talk to other teams, which would have to give up two first-round picks as compensation if the Texans didn't match an offer sheet. The 49ers and Falcons have been out front with their position, which is to sign Gould and Jarrett to long-term contracts.

Using the franchise designation assures Jarrett of a one-year deal worth just north of $15 million for 2019. Gould would earn a little less than $5 million in 2019.