The 2026 DFL season is officially underway as the new league year kicked off on June 1 with salaries paid and franchise tags locked in.

Unlike last year’s conservative approach, general managers went absolutely wild this offseason. A whopping 24 franchise tags were handed out across the league, including 9 Exclusive Franchise Tags (EFTs). This means a massive chunk of top-tier talent has been locked down by their current squads, leaving a slightly leaner—but still highly competitive—market for the rest of the league.

Exclusive Franchise Tags (9)

  • Nico Collins, WR/HOU — Sint Maarten ($13.6): Collins has firmly established himself as a dominant WR1, and Sint Maarten wasn’t about to let him walk. At $13.6, they secure a powerhouse pass-catcher for another year.
  • Garrett Wilson, WR/NYJ — Papua New Guinea ($13.6): Wilson’s elite talent is undeniable. Papua New Guinea drops the EFT to ensure their cornerstone wideout stays exactly where he belongs.
  • Jonathan Taylor, RB/IND — Australia ($20.5): After playing on an NFT last year for Australia, Taylor gets the premium EFT treatment this year. The price tag is staggering at over $20, but the Blue Heelers are all-in on their star back.
  • Davante Adams, WR/LAR — South Africa ($13.6): He might be a veteran, but Adams still produces at a high level. South Africa guarantees he remains an integral aerial weapon for 2026.
  • Kyren Williams, RB/LAR — Italy ($22.8): The highest single payout on this year’s tag list. Italy is breaking the bank for Williams, betting heavily that his high-volume, high-touch role continues to anchor their roster.
  • James Cook, RB/BUF — Kazakhstan ($8.0): Cook provides incredible value and versatility out of the backfield. At a flat $8.0, Kazakhstan locks up an incredibly efficient piece of their offense.
  • Jaylen Warren, RB/PIT — Madagascar ($8.0): Warren continues to prove he’s more than just a complementary back. Madagascar uses the EFT to keep his explosive playmaking locked down.
  • Travis Etienne, RB/NO — Peru ($8.2): Peru keeps their reliable centerpiece in the running game. Etienne’s dual-threat ability makes him well worth the price admission.
  • Javonte Williams, RB/DAL — Greece ($8.0): Greece opts for complete security with Williams, ensuring no one else can sneak a bid in for the powerful Dallas back.

Non-exclusive Franchise Tags (11)

  • Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR/DET — Australia ($13.6): The Sun God gets the NFT from Australia. He’s as consistent as they come, so expect plenty of aggressive bidding from rival managers looking to pry him away in the NFT Auction.
  • Christian McCaffrey, RB/SF — Italy ($8.0): Back on the NFT list again, but this time for Italy at a slightly lower entry fee of $8.0. The injury risks remain, but the ceiling is still league-winning. Let the bidding wars begin.
  • Drake London, WR/ATL — Peru ($13.6): London’s stock is soaring. Peru sets a high starting bar at $13.6, forcing anyone who wants him to pay a massive premium.
  • Derrick Henry, RB/BAL — Greece ($8.0): Moving from Kazakhstan last year to Greece this year, King Henry is still defying aging curves. He’ll find plenty of suitors willing to wager he has one more dominant year left.
  • Josh Allen, QB/BUF — Kazakhstan ($5.5): Last year he was an NFT for Colombia at $8.5; this year he commands a highly economical $5.5 opening bid for Kazakhstan. For an elite QB1, this is an absolute steal of an opening price tag.
  • Kenneth Walker, RB/KC — Saint Kitts & Nevis ($8.0): Walker brings serious home-run hitting ability to the table. Saint Kitts & Nevis sets the bait at $8.0.
  • Breece Hall, RB/NYJ — Sint Maarten ($8.0): One of the most dynamic young backs in the entire league. Sint Maarten puts the NFT on him, and his price in the auction is virtually guaranteed to skyrocket.
  • Joe Burrow, QB/CIN — Ireland ($5.5): Ireland places the tag on Burrow at a very reasonable $5.5. In a league where elite quarterback play is king, expect plenty of action here.
  • Chuba Hubbard, RB/CAR — South Africa ($8.0): Hubbard has proven he can handle a heavy workload when called upon. South Africa tests the market waters at $8.0.
  • Justin Herbert, QB/LAC — Madagascar ($5.5): Madagascar tags Herbert at the standard $5.5 QB line. He’s got the arm talent to far outproduce this baseline if the offense clicks.
  • Trevor Lawrence, QB/JAX — Papua New Guinea ($5.5): Lawrence rounds out a heavy wave of tagged quarterbacks. Papua New Guinea holds his rights but gives the rest of the league a shot to open their wallets.

Transition Tags (4)

  • Saquon Barkley, RB/PHI — Kazakhstan ($7.0): After playing on an EFT for Colombia last season, Barkley finds himself with a Transition Tag for Kazakhstan at a bargain $7.0 opening bid. Teams needing an elite, seasoned back will definitely be sniffing around.
  • Trey McBride, TE2, ARI — Australia ($5.2): Elite tight ends are a luxury, and McBride is right at the top of the young tier. Australia sets a highly competitive $5.2 mark, but they’ll have to match some eager bidders to keep him.
  • Terry McLaurin, WR/WAS — Greece ($11.1): “Scary Terry” gets the TT from Greece. He remains a model of consistency, and the $11.1 price tag reflects his status as a locked-in, reliable wideout.
  • D’Andre Swift, RB/CHI — Sint Maarten ($7.0): Swift’s explosive versatility makes him a fascinating piece in the transition market. Sint Maarten sets the floor at $7.0, waiting to see how the rest of the league values his ceiling.