“I think he has great growth potential. We don’t have a training table like the SEC schools or the Big Ten or the ACC, so our guys, it’s harder for us to gain weight compared to schools from bigger conferences,” he explained. “So, once he gets on a team, in a camp, and he’s eating four to five meals a day like they feed NFL players, I think he has a great frame to put on weight and improve his strength. He’s a guy that I think the NFL will evaluate in a couple different positions, whether he’s a defensive end with his hand on the ground, or a drop-outside linebacker playing on two feet. He’s a smart, intelligent football player.”

2. Film work with Belichick stands out to Render: When I reached out to Render about his experience with Belichick, he expressed initial reluctance to answer because he didn’t want to create a perception he was using the workout to generate publicity. He also is locked in on his upcoming pro day.

But he allowed that his time with Belichick was special to him.

“I would describe Monday as a day of reassurance. Being granted the opportunity to perform in front of arguably the best coach to ever stand on an NFL sideline was just a reminder to run my own race,” he said.

Asked what stood out to him, he said, “Our time in the film room. It was the questions [Belichick] asked while we were in there about my opponents.”

3. Two key unanswered questions remain with Brady, Patriots: There is a lot of smoke around free-agent-to-be Tom Brady, but from a pure bottom-line perspective, my viewpoint is that nothing has definitively changed on the two key questions regarding the quarterback’s future: How far financially is Belichick willing to go to retain him? And how motivated is Brady to return? While uncertainty with the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement might explain why there has been a delay in having pure contract talks, that shouldn’t stop the two from having a dialogue on factors that would help provide clarity on the second question. Belichick referred to Brady as an “iconic figure in the organization” on Jan. 5, and because of all Brady has given to the franchise, my opinion is that the football is in Belichick’s hands to approach Brady to spark that conversation in advance of the March 16 legal negotiating period with other teams. Brady, 42, deserves that respect. And I believe that will happen.

4. Nuggets from the combine: I did not attend this year’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, but from colleagues on the ground and observation, here were a few Patriots-specific things that stood out to me:

• Networking and connecting with others from around the NFL, and those tied to the history of the game, is part of the proceedings. That can be in Belichick’s wheelhouse. Along those lines, picture this scene: Belichick, at the bar at the downtown Indianapolis J.W. Marriott on Thursday night, talking to the legendary Archie Manning and appearing to exchange phone numbers.

• Patriots Hall of Famer Troy Brown seemingly taking his role on the coaching staff to a higher level, as part of meetings with prospects, specifically receivers.

• Retiring offensive-line coach Dante Scarnecchia making the trip to help evaluate linemen, a reflection that he will still be involved from a consulting-type standpoint.

5. Did You Know: Middle Tennessee had three players on Super Bowl rosters this past season — 49ers receiver Richie James (2018 seventh round), Chiefs cornerback Charvarius Ward (undrafted, 2018) and Chiefs linebacker Darius Harris (undrafted, 2019). Belichick had also been on campus in 2018 for a workout with James.

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Stephen A. Smith sparks a heated debate on whether Tom Brady can surround himself with enough talent to defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs.

6. Comments that resonated tied to Brady: The combine can put coaches and executives in a challenging spot mediawise because tampering rules don’t allow them to comment on players under contract with other teams, even those who are set to be free agents. So they have to choose their words carefully, and here are three sound bites from those with teams who could be interested in Brady:

• Titans coach Mike Vrabel (when asked by Suzy Kolber on NFL Live about rumors linking the Titans to Brady): “I would say it’s just a unique situation, having played with Tom and having a relationship with Tom and his family. [My son] Carter texted me [about social media rumors] and said, ‘Is Gisele at MBA [Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville]’ and I’m like, ‘No, Gisele is not at MBA.’ She wasn’t. I just think it’s unique that a head coach played with a quarterback that has an expiring contract that’s been in New England for 20 years.”

• Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians: “Quarterback is the premier position, so you never thought you’d see a Brady and a [Drew] Brees, and all those guys names to be out there [as possible free agents]. And Drew’s not really out there. So what is door No. 2? You never know.” Arians reportedly later said Brady is the type of free agent, along with Philip Rivers, that he’d pick up the phone to speak with.

• Raiders general manager Mike Mayock: “I’m surprised it took two questions to get to Derek [Carr], but thank you. I think everybody needs to understand at what level Derek Carr played last year — completed 70% of his passes, had almost a 3-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio, I think we were No. 11 in total yards, seventh in third-down conversions. We did a lot of really good things on offense. The disconnect was that we didn’t score a lot of points; you’re 11th in yards but 24th in points, there’s an issue. It’s defense. Special teams. It’s not scoring in the red zone. And it’s not scoring in goal-to-go. Derek Carr played at a high level. I’m very happy with Derek Carr. What I’ve told everybody I’ve been in touch with, from the day I took this job, we’re going to evaluate every position every year. And if we can get better, we will. Guys get tired of me saying that, but that’s really what I told [owner] Mark Davis before I took the job. That’s my mantra.”

7. Super Bowl hero Butler’s future in Tennessee: Could Malcolm Butler be a cut candidate after two seasons with the Titans? The possibility was broached by Albert Breer of SI.com, and ESPN.com Titans reporter Turron Davenport has noted why the organization might consider it: Butler is on the books with a $13.3 million cap charge in 2020, which could be too rich for his projected role, especially if the club attempts to re-sign Logan Ryan. If the Titans do move on, they would absorb a $6 million cap hit.

8. Top special-teamer Bethel recovering from shoulder surgery: In a reminder of the physical toll that football can take on players, Patriots core special-teamer Justin Bethel has had the course of his offseason altered by shoulder surgery, according to a source. Bethel recently made the point that he finds rehab workouts more challenging than regular workouts. With Bethel and perennial Pro Bowler Matthew Slater playing together for the second half of last season, the Patriots had arguably the most potent 1-2 gunner combination in the NFL.

9. Stidham checks in at Gillette: Last year at this time, quarterback Jarrett Stidham was working out in Indianapolis, impressing the Patriots to the point where they later selected him in the fourth round (No. 133). This year, Stidham took a break from his training regimen in California to return to town for the week, working out at Gillette Stadium. A related thought: One of the trickle-down effects of the Patriots hiring assistant coach Jedd Fisch to their offensive staff is the link with Stidham; one of the assets Fisch brings to New England is an extensive background working with young quarterbacks.

10. Bruschi’s entertaining tales from the past: I could listen to Patriots Hall of Fame linebacker Tedy Bruschi, who in his 11th season as an ESPN football analyst, talk football all day. So it was a treat to hear him reminisce on the “Pats from the Past” podcast on Patriots.com, such as telling the story of how then-Patriots coach Bill Parcells told him to hop into his Cadillac Eldorado after he had a good practice. Bruschi, who was a rookie that year in 1996, told the story of how Parcells informed him about the importance of managing his money (“I’ve seen more guys go down to the IRS; make sure things are in order”), which had him calling his agent that night to make sure he had an accountant. Bruschi also talked about how he thought Belichick would be the team’s head coach in 1997 based on the plane ride home from Super Bowl XXI and conversations he was having with players about the future. Fun stuff, as usual, from the Patriots great.

How are the tag numbers determined?

Tag values are position-specific. Here’s the basic math:

• The exclusive-rights tag is calculated by taking the average of the top five players’ cap percentage at the position for the current season, or 120% of the player’s previous year salary — whichever is greater. It has the highest value among the tags, and its specific value isn’t determined until late April to account for current-year deals.

• The non-exclusive franchise tag is determined by calculating the average of the top five players’ cap percentage at the player’s position during the past five years, or 120% of the player’s previous year salary — whichever is greater.

• The transition tag value is calculated by taking the average of the top 10 players at a position during the past five years.

What happens after a tag is applied?

It depends on the interest level between the sides. The player can sign the tender at any time, a decision that fully guarantees the salary and immediately places all of it on the current year’s cap charge. This can increase a player’s leverage in a tight cap situation; the team will be motivated to negotiate a longer-term deal to lower the cap number. But that decision also can backfire if the team is comfortable with the high cap number. The leverage in this case would side with a player who remains unsigned as camp looms. A tagged player can’t participate in offseason workouts or any camps until he has at least signed the tender.

In either event, the sides have until July 15 to agree on a multiyear extension. After that point, the player can sign only a one-year contract, which cannot be extended until after the season.

Can a team rescind a tag?

Yes. This has been documented seven times, most recently by the Carolina Panthers with cornerback Josh Norman in 2016. A rescinded tag is among the risks a player takes when he doesn’t immediately sign the tender. It can’t be rescinded once it is signed. After a tag is rescinded, the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.

How many players will be tagged in 2020?

Decisions each year are based on unique current details, but there has been an average of six franchise tags per year over the past seven offseasons.

Which players could be tagged this year?

If productive long-term negotiations don’t materialize, the possibilities make up a pretty long list. ESPN NFL Nation reporters recently produced 21 possibilities. They include:

• Shaquil Barrett, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker

• Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys receiver

• Bud Dupree, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker

• Dante Fowler Jr., Los Angeles Rams linebacker

• A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver

• Hunter Henry, Los Angeles Chargers tight end

• Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle

• Matthew Judon, Baltimore Ravens linebacker

• Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end

• Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys quarterback

• Brandon Scherff, Washington Redskins guard

• Justin Simmons, Denver Broncos safety

• Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans quarterback

• Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback

Does the tag usually lead to a multiyear deal?

Not necessarily. During the past seven seasons, it has happened 50% of the time. Of the past 44 franchise tags extended, according to ESPN Stats & Information, 22 resulted in multiyear deals during their tag season.

Tag results in 2019 came with a twist: Three of the seven tagged players were traded, including two who received contract extensions that their new teams signed off on.

The Kansas City Chiefs sent defensive end Dee Ford to the San Francisco 49ers, where he received a five-year deal worth a maximum of $87.5 million, in exchange for a 2020 second-round pick. Then the Chiefs acquired defensive end Frank Clark from the Seattle Seahawks for a 2019 first-round pick and a second-round pick in 2020. Clark signed a new contract with the Chiefs worth a maximum of $105.5 million over five years.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans ended pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney’s holdout by trading him to the Seahawks.

Why would a team tag and then trade a player, rather than tag him and wait to get two first-round picks?

Because NFL teams almost never acquire players via franchise-tag offer sheets. In fact, it has happened only once. In 1998, the Panthers gave up two first-round picks to sign Redskins nose tackle Sean Gilbert to a seven-year, $46.5 million contract. It’s better to get something (via a tag and trade) than nothing (via an unsigned franchise player who holds out). In this case, the tag becomes a tool for trade leverage.

How much will it cost to tag players in 2020?

The NFL hasn’t calculated the values yet, and one of the twists of the franchise-tag window is that teams can use the tag on players without knowing the exact figure. The numbers will be released in the coming weeks. In a few cases, deals that happen between now and then can affect the exact numbers. The exact per-team salary cap total — also not yet solidified — can change them as well.

For perspective, however, here are the 2019 numbers for the non-exclusive tag:

• Quarterback: $24.865 million

• Running back: $11.214 million

• Receiver: $16.787 million

• Tight end: $10.387 million

• Offensive line: $14.067 million

• Defensive end: $17.128 million

• Defensive tackle: $15.209 million

• Linebacker: $15.443 million

• Cornerback: $16.022 million

• Safety: $11.15 million

• Kicker/punter: $4.971 million

Is it always bad for the player to play under the franchise tag?

The franchise tag pays a player close to market value for one year but provides no future guarantees. The tag becomes an advantage if a player remains healthy and valuable enough that the team feels compelled to use it multiple times. The value of the second tag is 120% of the first, and the third 144% of the second.

OK, but how rarely do teams use the tag on the same player in consecutive years?

It happens more often than you might think: 16 times since 1997, including five times since 2011. Kicker Phil Dawson (Cleveland Browns), linebacker Anthony Spencer (Cowboys), quarterback Kirk Cousins (Redskins), cornerback Trumaine Johnson (Rams) and running back Le’Veon Bell (Steelers) were all tagged in consecutive years since 2011.

It is much less common for offensive skill players. In 2017, Cousins became the first quarterback ever franchised in consecutive years. There have been only four other skill players tagged twice at any point in their careers: quarterbacks Drew Brees (2005, 2012) and Peyton Manning (2004, 2011), receiver Rob Moore (1995, 1999) and Bell (2017, 2018).

Are some positions more susceptible to the franchise tag than others?

Yes. Per ESPN Stats & Information, 30 offensive linemen, 29 defensive ends and 26 linebackers have been franchise tagged since 1993. On the other end, there have been four punters, 10 quarterbacks, 11 tight ends and 12 running backs franchised.

Some of those positional descriptions seem vague …

You’re right, and sometimes that causes conflict between players and teams. Offensive line positions, for example, are valued quite differently from a financial perspective. Teams will pay much more for a left tackle than, say, a right guard. But it costs the same to franchise them. For pass-rushers, disputes often arise over whether a player is designated as a defensive end or an outside linebacker.

The CBA says only that it should be based on “the position at which the franchise player participated in the most plays during the prior league year.” Today’s hybrid schemes can sometimes make that answer a debatable point.

Do some teams use the tag more than others?

Yes, but given the 27-year span of the tag’s existence, the numbers are more a function of talent and cap management than a philosophical opposition or support of the tag itself. Every team in the league has used it at least twice. The Chiefs, Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts have used it an NFL-high 11 times. The Texans (two), Falcons (three) and Browns (three) have used it the fewest times.

1 Related

Okudah, at 6-foot-1? and 205 pounds, with elite speed and flexibility, is the top-ranked cornerback on the board in this year’s NFL draft. So, Okudah could have taken a pass when the defensive backs go through their on-field workouts Sunday afternoon and instead told teams he would work at Ohio State’s pro day.

But the combine workout isn’t an inconvenience for him; he’s been planning for it for quite some time.

“Right now, in my apartment, I have a whiteboard, I have all of Jalen Ramsey’s and Patrick Peterson’s combine numbers on there,” Okudah said. “So, I think it’s just about putting my numbers up with theirs, about going into the field work, showing really good footwork, really loose hips and that I’m feeling good.”

At the 2011 scouting combine, Peterson, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection who just finished his ninth season with the Arizona Cardinals, ran a 4.34 40-yard dash to go with a 38-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 10-feet-6-inches.

At the 2016 combine Ramsey, a three-time Pro Bowl selection who was traded from the Jaguars to the Rams this past season, ran a 4.41 40-yard dash to go with a 41½-inch vertical jump and a broad jump of 11-feet-3-inches.

If Okudah posts anything close to those numbers Sunday, he will cement his status as a top-five player in the draft. He also showed Friday he has already done plenty of homework about which teams in the league just might need to add him to their secondaries.

Okudah quickly named the starting cornerbacks, recent transactions and potential free agents in the secondary for each of the teams that have top-five picks in April. And in an interview with Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden and Raiders general manager Mike Mayock at the combine, Okudah said Gruden asked him, “Hey man, are you from planet Earth?” after Okudah had answered questions about how he played in the Buckeyes’ scheme.

“Just being a football guy, I do my research a lot,” Okudah said. ” … I know a lot about [the players].”