NFL teams can apply their franchise tag to one of their pending free agents beginning Wednesday and ending at 4:00 p.m. ET on March 1.
The players who receive the tag are given a predetermined, one-year salary, but aren't forced to sign the deal. Some teams may tag a player to buy time until later in the offseason when they can negotiate a long-term contract.
With plenty of questions to be answered around free agency, here's an early look at 15 players who could be getting their team's franchise tag:
Kirk Cousins - Redskins
While both sides have said they would like to get a long-term deal done, they're also both open to another year with Cousins under the tag. The 28-year-old had the two best passing seasons in Redskins history over the past two years, so he'll be looking for a big payday, and rightfully so. Tagging Cousins a second time would call for a salary of $23.94 million, but that could still be less than the annual average value the market would allow him to demand on a multi-year pact.
Eric Berry or Dontari Poe - Chiefs
Berry has made his intentions clear - he will not play another year under the franchise tag. Coming off back to back First-Team All-Pro seasons, the Chiefs won't let him hit the market, but they may need the tag to buy time. If Berry and the Chiefs reach a deal before March 1, securing one of the NFL's best nose tackles in Poe for about $13.5 million would be another worthwhile use of the tag.
Le'Veon Bell - Steelers
Bell had one of the best 12-game offensive seasons by a running back ever, so the Steelers certainly aren't ready to let go. Paying Bell around $12.2 million would be a bargain for Pittsburgh and could be a good alternative to a long-term deal if the team is worried he'll pick up another suspension. If the Steelers have already cleared any off-field concerns, though, Bell should get a long-term deal sometime this offseason.
Chandler Jones - Cardinals
Pretty much right after their regular season ended, head coach Bruce Arians made Jones' future very clear: Sign with us or you're getting the tag. Giving the pass rusher a one-year deal worth around $14.7 million is an easy call if they don't strike a multi-year deal in the next few weeks.
Kawann Short - Panthers
Panthers head coach Ron Rivera admitted the team is likely to use its tag on Short. The 28-year-old went in search of a new deal last offseason and has yet to announce whether he's open to playing under the tag next year. The Panthers famously rescinded Josh Norman's tag after he asked for too much money last spring, so Short should be careful about how he negotiates.
Jason Pierre-Paul - Giants
JPP made it clear he wants a long-term deal after playing 2016 on a one-year "prove it" contract. The 28-year-old demonstrated his worth to the Giants by helping turn their lowly defense into a top-ranked unit. The projected $17-million price tag for defensive ends is hefty, but the Big Blue defense definitely loses something if Pierre-Paul walks in free agency. Ideally, the Giants would like to lock him up before March 1 and avoid the tag.
Alshon Jeffery - Bears
Jeffery played last season under the franchise tag, and while he didn't perform well, he's likely to cash in if he gets to free agency because the receiver class is quite light. The Bears may also face a problem recruiting free agents to fill his spot with the NFLPA potentially warning players to stay away from Illinois - so keeping the stars they already have could be crucial.
Terrelle Pryor - Browns
The Browns need to do everything they can to keep one of their few players with star power. Pryor will be looking for a multi-year deal, but the average value of that contract would likely come in below the projected $15.7-million tag price for receivers. If they offer Pryor the tag after one year of playing full-time receiver, he should definitely take it.
Dont'a Hightower - Patriots
When the Patriots traded Jamie Collins to the Browns, it seemed clear that Hightower would be getting a long-term deal. The Patriots have plenty of cap room this offseason, but might not be overly keen to give Hightower a Collins-esque deal of around four years and $50 million. If Hightower is looking to one-up his former teammate, he may have to settle for a one-year, projected $14.7-million franchise tag.
A.J. Bouye - Texans
Bouye had a breakout season in 2016, finishing the year as ProFootballFocus' third-ranked cornerback and one of the most coveted pending free agents. The Texans intend to lock up the 25-year-old and receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason, but Bouye would be wise to test the market for a big-money deal if he can get there. If the Texans try to keep him around, a $12.6-million raise isn't a bad consolation prize.
Melvin Ingram - Chargers
The Chargers' defense really hit its stride once Ingram and rookie Joey Bosa found a pass-rushing groove. Though Ingram isn't necessarily worth the $14.7-million tag, he'd be one of the top edge-rushers available if he becomes a free agent. The Chargers should look to sign him before March, but depending on how much they value their developing pass rush, they could tag the 27-year-old.
Riley Reiff - Lions
Similar to Ingram, Reiff isn't worth a $14.4-million salary, but the Lions will value him more highly since he's been one of their most consistent linemen and the offensive tackle market doesn't offer a lot of options. With a contract looming for quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Lions need to have someone to protect his blindside. If they can't reach a deal before March 1, the Lions may have to make a tough decision about whether or not to overpay Reiff out of necessity.
Trumaine Johnson - Rams
The Rams chose to tag Johnson over Janoris Jenkins last offseason. Johnson was outplayed by Jenkins in 2016, but will likely seek a similar five-year, $62.5-million deal - and the Rams shouldn't give it to him. If Los Angeles decides it needs Johnson's talents back at corner, it may have little choice but to use the tag on him again.
Phil Dawson - 49ers
It's an ordinary practice for kickers and punters to get the franchise tag because it's pretty cheap. Dawson is still one of the best kickers around and the 49ers don't have any other players worth the money from their tag. They could probably just sign him to a new deal, but if they'd rather keep things simple, slapping the tag on Dawson would guarantee he doesn't go anywhere.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
