Decision time looms when it comes to shaping the Patriots roster for the 2018 season.
Today marks the first opportunity to apply the franchise tag to players, and teams must make their designations by March 6. For the uninitiated, the franchise tag commits a team to a one-year guaranteed contract that prevents a player from becoming an unrestricted free agent. The dollar amount is determined by the five-year average of the top earners at each position.
Each team can only use the franchise tag once per year. For the Pats, the most significant name that normally would be considered is left tackle Nate Solder.