Two weeks ago, I prepared for franchise tag season by predicting what all 32 teams would do.
Some of those predictions proved correct: (Michael Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals). Some didn't turn out so good: (Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers). With the 4 p.m. ET now passed, let's look at what happened. Eight players got the franchise tag in the end.
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Tags applied
- The Buffalo Bills used the franchise tag on safety Jairus Byrd.
- The Cincinnati Bengals used the franchise tag on defensive end Michael Johnson.
- The Indianapolis Colts used the franchise tag on punter Pat McAfee.
- The Chicago Bearsused the franchise tag on defensive tackle Henry Melton.
- The Denver Broncosplaced the franchise tag on offensive tackle Ryan Clady.
- As we expected, the Miami Dolphins used the franchise tag on defensive tackle Randy Starks on Monday, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport.
- In a surprise move, the Dallas Cowboys used the franchise tag on linebacker/defensive end Anthony Spencer. It's the second straight year Spencer received the tag. The Cowboyscontinue to make the same mistakes over and over.
- The Kansas City Chiefsused the franchise tag on offensive tackle Branden Albert after a last minute, long-term contract for Dwayne Bowe.
Did not get tagged
» Sebastian Vollmer, New England Patriots offensive tackle: Cornerback Aqib Talib was also an option. The Patriots have a lot of work to do with Wes Welker also slated for free agency.
» Steven Hauschka, Seattle Seahawks kicker: No one is talking about this one, but it makes a lot of sense.
» Jared Cook, Tennessee Titans tight end: This came as a surprise. Cook's agent was going to argue that Cook should be paid like a wide receiver, and the Titans decided they didn't want to bother with a legal battle.
» Glover Quin, Houston Texans safety: He's a high-priority re-signing for the Texans, but not high enough to get the franchise tag.
» Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers safety: It's surprising -- and somewhat telling -- that the 49ers will let Goldson test the market.
» William Moore, Atlanta Falcons safety: There were varying reports about the Falcons' tag, but they chose not to use the franchise tag on their excellent young starter.
» Phil Loadholt, Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle: The Vikings want to keep Loadholt. It will have to be via a long-term contract.
» Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers wide receiver:This will free up room, in theory, for the Packers to retain Jermichael Finley.
» Danny Amendola, St. Louis Rams wide receiver : General manager Les Snead told Around the League at the combine that Amendola would not be tagged.
» Joe Flacco and New York Giants tackle Will Beatty avoided potential tags by signing long-term deals.
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