Starting on Monday, NFL teams will have the ability to prevent impending free agents from hitting the open market in March by slapping them with the franchise tag. Here's a look at the favorites to be tagged in all 32 NFL front offices.
Arizona Cardinals: Jay Feely — They won't likely use it, but Feely would be the only cheap possibility.
Atlanta Falcons: Nobody — Matt Ryan is wrapped up, so they're good.
Baltimore Ravens: Dennis Pitta — The tight end won't likely get a long-term deal after injuries derailed his 2012 campaign. But the tag is less than $7 million.
Buffalo Bills: Dan Carpenter — I don't think they're going to pay to keep Jairus Byrd at a higher price after a rough season. Carpenter is a cheap option.
Carolina Panthers: Greg Hardy — The Panthers won't risk letting the sack machine get away. But there's talk now that they could let him walk.
Chicago Bears: Henry Melton — I think they learned in 2012 that this defense is a mess without Melton. They'll pay the premium for a second consecutive tag.
Cincinnati Bengals: Nobody — I don't think they'll want to pay the premium for Michael Johnson and Anthony Collins is not worth anything close to $11 million.
Cleveland Browns: T.J. Ward — Alex Mack is a possibility but I think they'll feel more pressure to give him a long-term deal first considering the tag price there.
Dallas Cowboys: Nobody — Jason Hatcher is too old, their stud kicker is under contract and Anthony Spencer is a reach for a third straight year.
Denver Broncos: Nobody — You can't devote eight figures to Eric Decker.
Detroit Lions: Nobody — They're too tight against the cap to risk it with Brandon Pettigrew.
Green Bay Packers: Nobody — Because nobody makes sense.
Houston Texans: Nobody — Same deal.
Indianapolis Colts: Vontae Davis — He was a Pro Football Focus stud in 2013. The tag is pretty expensive at that position, but the Colts have the cash and can't afford to take a step backward.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Nobody — Unless they make a huge mistake with an aging Maurice Jones-Drew.
Kansas City Chiefs: Nobody — Branden Albert is as good as gone.
Miami Dolphins: Brent Grimes — He had a fantastic season in Miami but is 31 and had a torn ACL in 2011. This makes the most sense.
Minnesota Vikings: Nobody — Jared Allen would cost nearly $20 million. No way, not at his age and with his recent decline.
New England Patriots: Aqib Talib — This is a toss-up for the unpredictable and tight-lipped Patriots, but Talib might be worth it to this defense.
New Orleans Saints: Jimmy Graham — He's too important for the Saints to risk anything. Now they'll fight over whether he's a tight end or receiver.
New York Giants: Linval Joseph — He's an underrated presense on that defensive line, and much more important than Hakeem Nicks.
New York Jets: Nick Folk — It's the kicker or nobody.
Oakland Raiders: Jared Veldheer — They have the money and negotiations have been coming along slowly.
Philadelphia Eagles: Donnie Jones — It's the punter or nobody. They can't promise that much to Jeremy Maclin or Riley Cooper.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Nobody — Emmanuel Sanders is a distant possibility.
San Diego Chargers: Donald Butler — Negotiations have dragged on.
San Francisco 49ers: Nobody — Phil Dawson can't be tagged and they'd be paying too much for Anquan Boldin, Tarell Brown or Donte Whitner.
Seattle Seahawks: Michael Bennett — Although Cliff Avril's strong finish and Richard Sherman's potential new deal could cause them to hold off.
St. Louis Rams: Nobody — Rodger Saffold is a worst-case scenario tag, because they can't afford to lose him. But right tackles don't make a ton of sense with the tag.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Nobody — Not enough talent.
Tennessee Titans: Alterraun Verner — They can't afford to lose one of the best all-around corners in the game.
Washington Redskins: Brian Orakpo — They need him, they might not want to extend him just yet, and they have the money for the tag.
