The NFL franchise tag start date is on Monday and teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, NY Giants, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and Washington Redskins have decisions to make and players that could get the tag includes Jimmy Graham, Brian Orakpo, Jason Worilds, Jared Allen, Jon Beason, Golden Tate, Brent Grimes and Riley Cooper.
Graham is the top name that is expected to get the tag and while there has been some controversy about whether he should be considered a tight end or wide receiver, either way he probably will be tagged. The Saints and quarterback Drew Brees had some issues before he signed his deal a couple years ago and now the team could go through that again with Graham after he had another amazing season. Graham has been the best tight end over the past two seasons and he had over 1,000 yards last season and led in touchdowns and he will be a top priority for the Saints.
Orakpo is a franchise tag option for the Washington Redskins, as he is set to hit the market and is the top free agent priority for the team. Orakpo will get some attention on the market and with Paul Kruger getting his big contract last year in the offseason, Orakpo is set to get paid. The Pittsburgh Steelers have some big decisions to make, as they have a tough financial situation and need to try and keep Worilds after the way he has played and this could be their only way. The team did this once before and tagged LaMarr Woodley before signing him to an contract and that could be how they handle things this time.
Jared Allen will be 32 when the season starts and while he made $17 million last season, he will be getting attention on the free agent market and if the Vikings want to keep him, they could tag him. That might be too expensive for his age, but there aren't many pass rushers like Allen and another option for the team is Everson Griffen. The Giants have a major question when it comes to the franchise tag, as Linval Joseph, Hakeem Nicks and Jon Beason all could be options. The team previously used it on Steve Weatherford and could use it on Josh Brown as well, but Joseph and Beason are two important free agents and the team will not want to let them go.
The Seattle Seahawks have some significant free agents and they could use the tag on Michael Bennett or Golden Tate as well as their kicker Steven Hauschka. The team also has to deal with the fact that Russell Wilson, Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman will be free agents next season. The Browns could tag Alex Mack, while the Cowboys have Jason Hatcher and another option is Brent Grimes with the Miami Dolphins.
