Pre NFL Free Agency Notebook: March 16

Mike Vukovcan |

Updated: May 25, 2022

NFL Free Agency officially begins on Wednesday at 4 PM, so between now and then, NFL teams will be making plenty of moves to get themselves in salary cap compliance. We’ll keep you updated on those moves in this NFL Free Agency Notebook

UPDATE (11:01 AM)-

The Browns placed a second-round tender on restricted free agent Kareem Hunt and released S Morgan Burnett.

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (10:44 AM)-

Franchise tag roundup:
▪️DAL: Dak Prescott (exclusive)
▪️CIN: A.J. Green
▪️TEN: Derrick Henry
▪️KC: Chris Jones
▪️TB: Shaq Barrett
▪️NYG: Leonard Williams
▪️JAC: Yannick Ngakoue
▪️LAC: Hunter Henry
▪️BAL: Matt Judon
▪️PIT: Bud Dupree
▪️WAS: Brandon Scherff
▪️DEN:Justin Simmons

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (10:24 AM)-

Titans placed franchise tag on RB Derrick Henry, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (10:20 AM)-

Bengals Franchising WR A.J. Green https://t.co/HItqk8JS7D pic.twitter.com/ISNs8GRymt

— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (10:10 AM)-

#Falcons are releasing OL Ty Sambrailo, source says. So Atlanta clearing space today.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (10:00 AM)-

Congrats to @KirkCousins8 on agreeing to a 2 year extension with the @Vikings

— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 16, 2020

The #Falcons are releasing RB Devonta Freeman, source says, saving more than $3M against the salary cap and moving on from their former starter.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (9:21 AM)-

#Packers are signing LB Christian Kirksey, per his agents at @SPORTSTARSNYC. Two year, $16 million deal. Reunited with Mike Pettine, who was the #Browns coach when Cleveland drafted him.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (9:14 AM)-

Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins Could Be Available For Trade This Offseason? https://t.co/5kMuO2qdH3 pic.twitter.com/Fn3KMb34WM

— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (9:00 AM)-

No surprise, but Chiefs are placing franchise tag on DT Chris Jones today, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020

Giants expected to place tag today on defensive lineman Leonard Williams, per source. Giants want him back and unwilling to let him leave.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (8:55 AM)-

The #Bucs are franchise tagging pass-rusher Shaq Barrett, source said, locking him in after a career year.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020

The #Chiefs plan to pick up the contract option for RB Damien Williams, source said, keeping the player who rushed for 104 yards in the Super Bowl in the fold. Williams will make $2.3M in 2020.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (8:53 AM)-

A glimpse of our world: With free agency on track for this week, some teams are planning to use private planes to fly in premier free agents. Still, those flights require pilots to leave home and work, and teams are not pleased about this. Teams NOT happy free agency this week.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2020

UPDATE (8:50 AM)-