Matt Forte still looking to cash in long-term
Monday’s deadline came and went with 21 players receiving the franchise tag. Of the 21 players franchised six of them were either kickers or punters. Here’s a look at the players receiving the tag:
Cleveland Browns: Kicker Phil Dawson
Cincinnati Bengals: Kicker Mike Nugent
Denver Broncos: Kicker Matt Prater
Jacksonville Jaguars: Kicker Josh Scobee
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kicker Connor Barth
New York Giants: Punter Steve Weatherford
New Orleans Saints: Quarterback Drew Brees
Baltimore Ravens: Running Back Ray Rice
Chicago Bears: Running Back Matt Forte
Kansas City Chiefs: Wide Receiver Dwayne Bowe
New England Patriots: Wide Receiver Wes Welker
Philadelphia Eagles: Wide Receiver DeSean Jackson
Washington Redskins: Tight End Fred Davis
Arizona Cardinals: Defensive End Calais Campbell
Detroit Lions: Defensive End Cliff Avril
Indianapolis Colts: Defensive End Robert Mathis (signed 4 yr, $36 million deal)
Dallas Cowboys: Linebacker Anthony Spencer
Atlanta Falcons: Cornerback Brent Grimes
Oakland Raiders: Safety Tyvon Branch
San Francisco 49ers: Safety Dashon Goldson
Tennessee Titans: Michael Griffin
With the franchise tags out of the way, we look at the top remaining free agents.
Mario Williams, DE, Houston Texans
Williams is coming off season ending knee surgery but with Brees off the market he becomes the gem of free agency. At only 27, Williams is a premier pass rusher when healthy and should draw considerable interest once the gates open on March 13.
Carl Nicks, OG, New Orleans Saints
Nicks is one of the top interior offensive linemen in the league and is looking to be paid as one on the open market. Nicks may break the bank at the guard position as he will be highly sought after.
Brandon Carr, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
Carr is still young at 26 (next season) and looking to set the market among this crop of free agent CB’s. Teams will line up for Carr’s services. Anyone with a ton of money and corner need should get in line for Carr, one of the top corners in the league
Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers
Jackson avoided being tagged again this season which should allow him to leave for a nice payday. Several teams will be tripping over each other to drop off a bag full of money on Jackson’s doorstep once the free agent doors open on the 13th.
Cortland Finnegan, CB, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee elected to use their tag on the cheaper secondary option in Michael Griffin. Finnegan will be two years shy of 30 at the start of next season which should warrant a top payday for Cortland.
Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay Packers
Flynn will reap the rewards from his mop up work in Green Bay. With several teams in need of a starting QB, Flynn could cash in on a deal a little south of Kevin Kolb’s. Cleveland, Miami, Washington, and Seattle could put in offers for Aaron Rodgers backup.
Jared Gaither, OT, San Diego Chargers
The Chargers are taking a major risk by not tagging Gaither. Gaither has some chronic health issues but has proven to me a more than capable starting tackle in the league.
Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
The Saints could keep Colston, Nicks and Brees so they decided to tag Brees. Wise decision but there will be plenty of teams happy they didn’t tag the big receiver from Hofstra.
Red Bryant, DT, Seattle Seahawks
I was a little surprised the Seahawks didn’t lock up Bryant. He was an integral part of a budding defense. His versatility to play in multiple fronts could make him a valuable asset on the open market.
Carlos Rogers, CB, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers tagged Rogers secondary running mate in Dashon Goldson. Rogers had arguably his best season as a pro in 2011 and could cash in with a 3/4 year deal with another team.
Ben Grubbs, OG, Baltimore Ravens
Grubbs is one of the better all around guards in football and should intrigue several teams. The Ravens tagged Ray Rice and couldn’t afford to keep Grubbs after rewarding Marshall Yanda last offseason with a nice deal.
Tracy Porter, CB, New Orleans Saints
Porter should and would be higher on this list if he weren’t always hurt. He’s a young playmaker in the secondary that could be a Pro Bowler if he stays healthy.
