Justin Madubuike Gets Hit With Franchise Tag By Ravens
Today is the deadline to utilize the franchise tag and the Baltimore Ravens won’t waste any more time locking up a very important player. Justin Madubuike has emerged as one of the better three techniques on the planet and he’s not going anywhere. The former Texas A&M product has been hit with the franchise tag by the team that drafted him.
The news was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:
The franchise tag will cost the Ravens $22.1 million against the salary cap while utilizing it on Madubuike.
Madubuike, 26, notched 57 tackles with 13.5 sacks and 33 quarterback hits. That sack number while playing three technique is absurd in a good way. He also made his first-time Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro selection.
Guys like that just don’t grow on trees and they’re incredibly hard to find. It’s someone the Ravens had to prioritize keeping for that very reason.
“We were unable to agree on a contract extension with Justin before the deadline and will use the franchise tag,” General Manager Eric DeCosta stated. “Justin is a great player and person, and we will continue to negotiate a long-term deal with him.”
This move likely means Patrick Queen is gone. The Ravens are already paying Roquan Smith a big chunk of money. Given where they’re at with the cap, bringing Queen back no longer seems feasible. John Simpson, Kevin Zeitler, Odell Beckham, Gus Edwards, and JK Dobbins are also impending free agents.
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