The deadline for NFL teams to place franchise tags on elite players ended Monday at 4:00 p.m. ET. Five teams have used tags, and a few of the notable players who possibly could have received tags will be left to test free agency come March 10.
Who Got Tagged
Demaryius Thomas, Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos
The Broncos will use a franchise tag of $12.823 million on star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas after being unable to come to terms on a long-term contract.
At 27 years old, Thomas will be in possession of an exceptionally high salary for someone his age due to the phenomenal numbers he has put up for the Broncos over his past three years. From 2012-2014, Thomas accumulated a monster total of 4,483 receiving yards and 35 touchdowns while playing in all 48 games during that span.
Justin Houston, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City wisely placed the franchise tag on 2014 NFL sack leader, Justin Houston. The former third-round pick tallied 22 quarterback take downs during a ridiculous campaign this past season. However, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, Houston will not sign the $13.195 million tag right away.
Houston, who has participated in the last three Pro-Bowls, has a total of 48.5 career sacks.
Jason Pierre-Paul, Defensive End, New York Giants
As expected, the Giants placed the franchise tag on Jason Pierre-Paul, who will earn $14.813 million in 2015 if he signs the tender. Over the course of Pierre-Paul’s five seasons with the Giants, he has produced 42 sacks, 205 tackles and 80 assisted tackles. This past season saw the former first-round pick tally 12.5 sacks.
If Pierre-Paul signs the price tag to keep him with the team, it will take up a large sum of the $22.7 million that New York has saved under the cap.
Dez Bryant, Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys
Unable to come to terms on an agreement with Dez Bryant, the Dallas Cowboys placed a franchise tag on their No. 1 wide receiver for $12.823 million.
Over the course of the last three seasons, Bryant has racked up a ridiculous 3,935 yards and 41 touchdowns. While there is no doubt that Bryant’s on-field abilities stand out above the rest, the decision not to give the receiver a long-term deal has more to do with off-field concerns. It’s unknown whether Bryant received the exclusive or non-exclusive tag, the latter of which would enable a team to sign him away from Dallas for two first-round picks.
Stephen Gostkowski, Kicker, New England Patriots
In selecting a kicker over Devin McCourty, the Patriots face the possibility of losing their Pro Bowl safety. It was an odd decision for the team, but it could also mean that McCourty and the Patriots are close to a long-term contract. As it relates to Gostkowski, he will cost $4.16 million against the cap in 2015. The three-time Pro Bowler made 35-of-37 field goal attempts, including 13-of-14 from 40-plus yards, in 2014.
Who Did Not Get Tagged
Julius Thomas, Tight End, Denver Broncos
Considering Denver placed the franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas, this was a foregone conclusion. The tight end can now test the free market. Reports are also indicating that several teams, including the Oakland Raiders who have a massive $53.5 million to go on a shopping spree later this month, could be interested in Thomas’ services.
During the past two years in Denver, Thomas played in 27 games where he produced 1,292 receiving yards and scored an incredible 24 touchdowns —the second-most for any tight end in this two-year period.
Ndamukong Suh, Defensive Tackle, Detroit Lions
The huge franchise tag of almost of $27 million to keep Suh around in Detroit proved to be too expensive for the Lions. After five seasons in Detroit, the 307 pound, 6’4″ Hall of Fame-caliber defensive tackle will hit the free agency.
With many teams interested in Suh, it would not be surprising to see him strike a deal with a team that is willing to pay him a salary somewhere in the neighborhood of J.J. Watt’s $100 million contract.
DeMarco Murray, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys
What has been speculated all along has been confirmed. The Cowboys will not place a franchise tag on DeMarco Murray, who led the NFL with 1,845 rushing yards in 2014. Murray will definitely find a team who is willing to pay him what he will demand in free agency.
During Murray’s four years with the Cowboys, he produced a total of 4,526 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Murray’s 2014 season was his career-best and the only season in which he played in all 16 games.
Photo: USA Today