Teams can begin applying the franchise tag to their free agents on Monday. We took a look at how the Green Bay Packers might use the tag last week. Here’s a look at which free agents might be franchised by other teams.
Teams not noted aren’t likely to franchise anyone.
Atlanta Falcons: Cornerback Brent Grimes is probably the Falcons top free agent, but 49 tackles and one interception — his 2011 stats — probably don’t deserve the tag. If the Falcons think otherwise, then they’re dumber than we thought.
Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals will tag defensive end Calais Campbell if they don’t reach a deal prior to free agency. He’s 25 and has shown improvement each of his four seasons in the league — he had 72 tackles and eight sacks last season in the 3-4. He’s exactly the type of player the Packers need. They won’t have a shot at him.
Baltimore Ravens: Running back Ray Rice is a no-brainer to get franchised. He is their franchise player — 1,364 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011.
Buffalo Bills: The Bills would like to get receiver Stevie Johnson, who had more than 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons, locked up long-term. In all likelihood, they’ll manage to do that before free agency begins and sit on the franchise tag.
Chicago Bears: Running back Matt Forte is the guy here. See Ray Rice above — same situation. Forte was the Bears offense, running for 997 yards and totaling 490 receiving in 12 games.
Cincinnati Bengals: There have been rumors the Bengals may use the tag on kicker Mike Nugent if they use it. Who cares?
Cleveland Browns: The Browns will tag linebacker D’Qwell Jackson if they can’t re-sign him before free agency. When he’s healthy, he’s one of the best inside backers in the league. He had 158 tackles and 3.5 sacks last season. Too bad the Packers couldn’t replace A.J. Hawk with Jackson.
Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys are considering tagging linebacker Anthony Spencer for some reason. It’s shrewd personnel decisions like these that have the Cowboys in the Super Bowl hunt every year.
Denver Broncos: Kicker Matt Prater probably gets the tag here. For good reason, he’s one of the best in the league.
Detroit Lions: This is probably going to get contentious. The Lions want to tag defensive end Cliff Avril, who was on our free agent wish list, but Avril says he’ll hold out if the Lions do so. Is Matt Millen running the show in Detroit again?
Houston Texans: Outside linebacker Mario Williams looks like he’ll be allowed to test the market. Running back Arian Foster is a restricted free agent, so the Texans don’t need to tag him. The smart money says they sit on it.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Kicker Josh Scobee gets the tag if a deal isn’t reached prior to free agency.
Kansas City Chiefs: Receiver Dwayne Bowe (81 catches, 1,159 yards, 5 TDs) and cornerback Brandon Carr (45 tackles, 4 INTs) are the options. Carr is the better bet because he’s two years younger.
New England Patriots: The NFL’s leading pass catcher, Wes Welker, is almost a foregone conclusion here. He had 122 catches, 1,569 yards and nine TDs in 2011.
New Orleans Saints: The answer would obviously be NFL offensive player of the year Drew Brees, except for the fact the Saints are expected to have him re-signed by the time free agency begins. That leaves guard Carl Nicks and receiver Marques Colston as options. We assume the Saints are proponents of keeping the franchise off his ass, so the offensive lineman gets the tag.
Oakland Raiders: Running back Michael Bush (977 yards, 7 TDs) is great insurance for the injury-prone Darren McFadden, but can the Raiders really afford to pay a backup $7 million season? Not unless they clean up their salary cap mess.
Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles have already said they plan to tag receiver DeSean Jackson. The guy was a whiny bitch in 2011, pouting about his contract situation all season, but he has loads of talent. Frankly, Philly can keep him in their dysfunctional family.
San Francisco 49ers: Bet on safety Dashon Goldson, who’s 27 and had 67 tackles and six picks in 2011. Cornerback Carlos Rogers had similar numbers, but he’s 30.
Seattle Seahawks: Running back Marshawn Lynch resurrected his career in 2011, running for 1,204 yards and 12 touchdowns. Like Rice and Forte he was pretty much his team’s entire offense.
Washington Redskins: Although this moron got suspended by the league for a drug infraction, the Redskins will probably slap the tag on tight end Fred Davis. Before he banished, he put up 59 catches for 796 yards and three touchdowns.
(Thanks to Goal-Line Stand)
I’ve only read the Falcons one and stopped. Brent Grimes is a great corner and the reason his stats are like is no one throws near him. The guy is a super cover corner and I’d much rather have him than Tramon Williams of last year that’s for sure! Tramon I can’t cover.
That’s what everyone said about Nnamdi last year and you saw what happened when his scheme changed. Tramon played with a bum shoulder which limited his bump and run coverage the whole season and the loss of Nick was a huge factor in their secondary not being what it was.
The only corner who is in a league of his own is and no one throws on is Revis everyone else is below that.
The Bills with Stevie Johnson threw on Revis just fine.
Otherwise, I agree with Peter. Tramon when fully healthy at the end of the season was a better player than Grimes.
Tramon is bigger and faster than Grimes.
Grimes is a good cover corner, but he is best suited for the slot. His lack of size gives him issues against the better outside WRs.
He has even had his problems covering James Jones, a bigger guy, when matched against him.
Grimes is not worth the franchise tag. However, it would be stupid for the Falcons to go down that road anyway. They have plenty of money to spend and can’t afford their defense to get any worse against the pass. They should lock Grimes up with a long contract and be done with it. You spread the signing bonus out over 5 years, and the big contract will cost them less against the cap than the franchise tag would.
Vikings are going to snag wells, and donald driver from you, just watch! I really hope we take finely as well.
Well Minnesota is the retirement home to the Green Bay Packers
haha thats funny
yes its true I wasn’t blessed in between my legs if you know what I mean, but I was above my shoulders. I’m a certified member of MENSA. What I say goes!