Report: Jaguars to use franchise tag on EDGE Yannick Ngakoue

Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the Jacksonville Jaguars will use the franchise tag on premier pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue rather than let him leave via free agency.

The franchise tag would guarantee Ngakoue roughly $19.3 million for the 2020 NFL season.

Ngakoue has been seen as a primary target for the New York Giants in the coming free agency period. The Giants are in desperate need of pass rushers after posting one of the worst four-man pressure rates in the NFL last year. The Jaguars are heavily cash-strapped, but money can be shed to create the cap flexibility to keep Ngakoue if they really want to do it.

Schefter mentions the possibility of a trade, which is an avenue Ngakoue himself might force.

So while the Giants might not be able to pursue Ngakoue in free agency, they could still pursue a trade for him with the Jaguars. The what that trade entails isn’t known, but it’s expected that as a premier pass rusher, Ngakoue would fetch good value for the Jags. It’s also worth noting that any team that trades for Ngakoue would have to sign him to a long-term deal, which reportedly could top $22 million per year.

Ngakoue has been one of the most productive pass rushers in the NFL since entering the league four years ago. In that time he has had 37.5 sacks and his 14 forced fumbles is fourth in the league over that span.

Stay with Big Blue View as we bring you all the news in the run-up to the opening of free agency on March 18th.