NFL key dates 2018: Free agency, franchise tag, Combine, Draft, OTAs, minicamp for Jets, Giants, Eagles

When does the league calendar for next season begin? (Catalina Fragoso | USA TODAY Sports)
When does the league calendar for next season begin? (Catalina Fragoso | USA TODAY Sports)

Here are some 2018 NFL key dates to watch after the Super Bowl, as the Jets, Giants, and Eagles navigate their offseason schedules: 

Feb. 5: Waiver system begins for 2018. 

Feb. 13: NFL teams can begin to sign players whose 2017 CFL contracts have expired. 

Feb. 20: First day for teams to use franchise or transition tag. 

Feb. 27-March 5: NFL Scouting Combine, Indianapolis. 

March 6: Deadline (4 p.m.) for teams to use franchise or transition tag. 

March 12-14: Teams can negotiate with pending free agents on other teams. Contracts cannot be formally executed until 4 p.m. on March 14. 

March 14: Free agency, trading period, and 2018 league year begin at 4 p.m. 

March 25-28: NFL's annual meeting, Orlando, Fla. 

April 2: Teams that hired a new head coach can begin offseason workouts. 

April 16: Teams with a returning head coach can begin offseason workouts. 

April 20: Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets. 

April 26-28: NFL Draft, Arlington, Texas. 

May 4-7: Rookie minicamp. 

May 11-14: Rookie minicamp (teams must pick one of the two weekends). 

May 17-20: NFLPA Rookie Premiere event. 

May 21-23: Spring league meeting, Atlanta. 

Late May to early June: Organized team activities. 

Mid-June: Mandatory minicamp.  

Scouting reports for top prospects

July 16: Deadline for franchise tagged players to sign long-term contract with current team. 

Late July: Training camp begins. 

Aug. 2: Hall of Fame Game, Canton, Ohio. 

Sept. 1: Rosters must be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. 

Sept. 2: Waiver claim period for players released in final cuts ends at noon. 

Sept. 2: Practice squads can be established at 1 p.m. 

Sept. 6, 9-10: Regular season begins. 

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DarrylSlater. Find NJ.com Jets on Facebook.