From today's O'zone


Craig from Jacksonville
Do you think Yannick can get $22 million per year on the open market?

I suppose it's possible Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue could get $22 million a year as an unrestricted free agent, but I don't anticipate learning for certain this offseason. That's because I don't expect the Jaguars and Ngakoue to agree to a long-term deal this offseason, and I do expect the Jaguars to place the franchise tag on him. I also don't expect the Jaguars to trade him in that scenario, which means he likely will play for the Jaguars on a one-year deal in 2020 or he won't play at all. Could Ngakoue get $22 million a year on the open market? Considering he has been an eight-sack player the past two seasons, it's questionable – but considering the premium placed on pass-rushing talent, it's possible. Teams overpay pass rushers in unrestricted free agency, so he likely would push to $20 million a season or so. That would be big, life-changing money. And I imagine Ngakoue eventually will have a good chance to get that money. I just seriously doubt it will be from the Jaguars, and I seriously doubt it will be this season.

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