One Franchise tag.....Shaq and Bradberry who do you choose?

[WarPanthers89]

I created a thread on this before, but I figured it’s worth bringing up again. Both Shaq (25 years old) and Bradberry (26 years old) are free agents after this year. Shaq allows our defense to do so many things (he covered a wide receiver just like a cb last week along with his blitz ability) and is having an outstanding year so far. Bradberry is becoming one of the most consistent young CB’s in the game. NFL Teams would love to sign either one so which would to pick to get the tag? Do you believe we sign both to an extension or let one walk because of the cost? 

I think we messed up not signing at least one to an extension this past offseason, as the price continues to go up for both. 

Quote below from @PantherBrew post:

For too long, Shaq Thompson played behind Thomas Davis and was never utilized as an every down defender. Then Thomas Davis went to Los Angeles, and they finally gave him the keys to the 2004 Subaru Outback. He pairs perfectly with Kuechly. The transition has been seamless from one administration to the other. Thompson had 12 tackles, 7 solo, 1 sack, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 pass defensed, and 1 quarterback hit in this one to add to the other 19 solo tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 quarterback hit, and 1 pass defensed he’s already made. This is the best game I’ve remembered seeing Thompson play. I’ll have to check and see what Pro Fartball Focus says first though.
Thompson blitzed well in this game when they decided to bring him. He sacks Watson on this second and twelve blitz. They bring three on the right. It’s big on big. Thompson v. Mancz. He tosses him like a Reggie White pass rush, and leaps to take away Watson’s ability to throw it at the feet of the out route. Also, Kuechly knows exactly where Watson wants to go with the ball. Once again, the Panthers are funneling Houston and taking away their outs.

Bradberry:

B. Cooks 2 rec 39yds

M. Evans 4 rec  61yds

L. Fitzgerlad 5 rec 36 yds

D. Hopkins 5 rec 41 yds

From @ellis:

 

 

 

[PantherBrew]

I would imagine the cost for a franchise tag would be much cheaper for an ILB than a CB.  So that should be part of the calc.  Surprised we havent already extended Shaq Tbh.

EDIT: According to @Bartin The LB and CB tag values are very close. 

[PanthersBigD]

It depends on whether or not Rivera stays or goes. If he stays, I think we sign them both. If you can't afford to sign both in the same offseason, you tag the one whose position has the lower average salary, and sign the other one. Then you sign him after hopefully another good year. 

[Daddy_Uncle]

Bradberry is more important to us. It's hard to find good corners. We already have several players similar to Shaq. Would hate to lose either

[mc52beast]

A lot of what the team does in the off-season depends on how Cam plays. If they cut him we have an extra 19m. 
 

If I have to choose between the two I’m taking  Bradberry. We have been very good at getting playmakers at the LB spot, not so good with corners. I want my shutdown corner.

[LinvilleGorge]

Hope we can hang onto both, but if I have to choose one or the other I choose Bradberry all day long.

[Captain Morgan]

Bradberry is coming into his own...plus he's a great person.  Sign him.

I don't think Shaq is going to command huge money.  He's only got this year to earn it, but he is certainly playing well.  I'd rather sign him that franchise tag.  Hope 8 mill per year for 4 years would work for both sides.

[ncguy2184]

Bradberry all day just because its harder to find a starting CB like him plus how we draft good LB'S.

I rather go into the next season with a rookie ILB then a rookie cb. 

[CPF4LIFE]

Bradberry easily.  You can find a new young LB in the draft all the time. 

[JawnyBlaze]

Bradberry easy. Been good his whole time here. Shaq is just starting to look solid. We’ll see if that continues before decided whether to even resign him, much less consider the tag

[Bartin]

32 minutes ago, PantherBrew said:

I would imagine the cost for a franchise tag would be much cheaper for an ILB than a CB.  So that should be part of the calc.  Surprised we havent already extended Shaq Tbh.

ILBs are in the same group as 3-4 OLBs like Von Miller for franchise tags. In 2018, the LB tag was $14,000 cheaper than the CB tag.

[PantherBrew]

3 minutes ago, Bartin said:

ILBs are in the same group as 3-4 OLBs like Von Miller for franchise tags. In 2018, the LB tag was $14,000 cheaper than the CB tag.

Thanks for sharing that.  I would have thought they would have divided them up.  I think we can keep both. 

[Bartin]

Definitely Bradberry. CB is a far more valuable position and he is starting to show that he is bordering on elite.

I think unless Shaq takes a cheap deal then you just let him go, draft a replacement in the 2nd-4th rounds and take the comp pick. I feel like his success this year has a lot more to do with him being the guy next to Luke than it does with him. So you can save $10M and have little drop off.

[Mage]

Easily Bradberry.  Shaq is great but a #1 corner is far more important.  Bradberry isn’t perfect but he is usually consistent vs premier WRs.