Free agency in the National Football League will not be here until March 10, but when it does the 32 teams will be aggressively attempting to improve. Some have much more projected cap space than others, but every general manager will have their targets according to need.
Of the players slated to become free agents, some will never make it that far. A handful will sign new deals with their current teams, while others will be slapped with the franchise tag.
So what is the franchise tag? Basically, each team can use its franchise tag on one player. There are two types of tags, the exclusive and non-exclusive.
The Exclusive tag does not allow the player to negotiate with other franchises and makes the team pay either the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position or 120 percent of his previous year’s salary; whichever is higher. The non-exclusive allows the player can negotiate with other teams. If his current team declines to match the offer, it receives two first-round picks. Financially, this tag is figured by the average of the last five years for the top five players at the given position.
This year, the tags can be used starting on Feb. 16 and ending on March 2. The figures for each team is projected here, per Jason La Canfora.
Here are five players who are likely tag options this offseason:
1. Justin Houston
The Kansas City Chiefs are not letting Houston walk out of Arrowhead. Houston amassed 22 sacks in 2014, only a half-sack away from tying the all-time single-season record held by Michael Strahan. Houston is entering the prime of his career at age 26 and is the focal point of a Chiefs defense which ranked second in scoring last year.
2. Dez Bryant
Bryant is one of the most prolific receivers in the NFL and would command near $100 million on the open market. However, Jerry Jones will never let the five-year veteran see that opportunity. Bryant, who caught 88 passes for 1,320 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2014, will likely be hit with the tag while his agent and Dallas work out a deal.
3. Demaryius Thomas
The Denver Broncos have a litany of free agents to deal with, none more important than Thomas. Since Peyton Manning arrived in Denver in 2012, no receiver has been more productive. Thomas, 27, will get major money from the Broncos, but might have to play a game of tag first.
4. Devin McCourty
McCourty is one of the more underrated players in the NFL. Overshadowed in his own secondary by Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, McCourty patrols the deep middle and is a highly-valuable asset for the New England Patriots. Safety is one of the cheapest positions to give a franchise tag to, helping New England’s cause.
5. Jerry Hughes
Hughes has become a very productive 4-3 defensive end since being acquired by the Buffalo Bills in 2013. Over the past two seasons, Hughes has totaled 19.5 sacks. With his rookie contract expired, Hughes will hit the open market with clout, hoping to reel in a fat, multi-year deal. Buffalo might be wise to tag Hughes and pay later.