Don’t expect the New England Patriots to use their franchise tag this offseason.
Have you heard that before? Sure have. But New England does not have any realistic or deserving candidates for it once again.
The Patriots, who used their transition tag on safety Kyle Dugger last offseason before agreeing to a long-term deal, have a below average list of impending free agents. Even their best free agents — cornerback Jonathan Jones, tight end Austin Hooper, etc. — are past their primes and not deserving of the one-year payment the tag requires.