We’re going to write about restricted free agent tags over the next three weeks, so we’ve listed the exact tender amounts over on PFT’s feature page.
One thing to keep in mind is that there are different salaries depending on whether a player has four or five years of experience. (Since fifth-year players were unrestricted free agents before, this is a new phenomenon.)
Teams can tender players at four different compensation levels. These levels determine what a team will get in return if the player signs elsewhere. The four levels include: original pick compensation, a second round tender, a first round tender, and a first and a third round tender.
Quality starters should get the highest tender, which comes in at either $3.168 million or $3.268 million. Teams must apply the tags by March 4 or the player becomes an unrestricted free agent.