Why Justin Madubuike? Exploring Reason Behind Likely Ravens Franchise Tag

With so many top players set to hit free agency, the Baltimore Ravens have a decision to make on who to give the quick franchise tag to.

Free agency is always a dangerous game for NFL teams - particularly those expected to lose a good crop of homegrown talent. 

The Baltimore Ravens have multiple decisions to make as free agency draws closer (March 13), and the first question centers around the franchise tag. While organizations can only tag one player per offseason, the difference in value of each position makes it relatively easy to determine the players getting a one-year deal for a massive payoff. 

Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike (92) / USA Today

Take Ravens defensive star Justin Madubuike. The Pro Bowl tackle recorded 13 sacks last season en route to a second-team All-Pro nomination. Now as a free agent, Baltimore needs to try and find a long-term agreement, or give the Texas A&M  product the tag. 

But why Madubuike? Why not another free agent like linebacker Patrick Queen, offensive lineman Kevin Zeitler, or even wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.? After all, the tag value evaluation is relatively close for each of those positions. 

Defensive tackles are set to make $20 million on the tag, while the price for a linebacker is $22 million. Offensive linemen are set at just under $20 million themselves. 

The answer to that question is Madubuike's value at an important position. While the Ravens have enjoyed major success at linebacker over the years, the defensive tackle position is far more valuable as a run-stuffer who can get after the passer. The same goes for offensive linemen. Zeitler being 33 years old to Madubuike's 26 is a major difference in the type of player the Ravens will want to retain. 

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Then there is the cap ramifications of the whole conundrum. In the modern NFL, it's not strong cap manipulation to pay two linebackers over $20 million. The Ravens are already paying Roquan Smith an average of $20 million - why would you spend over $40 million at the one position that is interchangeable in the pass-happy league, now?

That's why Madubuike is the far more important player to tag. The value of a defensive tackle will be more important than a linebacker when it comes to a tag. 

Madubuike being a dominant threat insider certainly helps, as well.