Franchise time: 20 NFL players who might be tagged - Green Bay Press Gazette

Beginning today, NFL teams have until March 4 to place a franchise or transition tag on one of their prized free agents (the free agency signing period opens March 12). Players bearing the tags are guaranteed a predetermined one-year salary based on the position they play (and a formula which factors in the size of the salary cap) but can negotiate with other clubs; the original team has the right to match any offer sheet a tagged free agent signs. The club controlling a player's rights receives two first-round draft picks if it lets a franchise player go elsewhere but gets nothing in return if a transition player is allowed to walk. Players can also receive an exclusive franchise tag which affords them more money but prevents them from testing the market.

From a historical perspective, it's worth noting little happens once a player is tagged. Only three franchised players have switched teams since the mechanism was first used in 1993, and it hasn't happened since 1998 becaise it's virtually impossible to find a veteran player who's worth two first rounders. The last transition tag player to move was all-pro guard Steve Hutchinson in 2006, though that was largely because the Minnesota Vikings constructed a "poison pill" contract the Seattle Seahawks couldn't match without wrecking their own salary cap. Transitioning Hutchinson was a bad miscalculation by the Seahawks, who would've only needed to front around $500,000 more to franchise him, and virtually no team uses that tag anymore given the lack of protection it provides.

Here are 20 players who could be franchised (a record 21 were tagged in 2012) over the next two weeks:

Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis Rams: We wouldn't give this very good slot guy $10 million-plus given his injury issues and relative skill set. But the Rams might consider it given Amendola's value on special teams and as Sam Bradford's safety valve.

Connor Barwin, OLB, Houston Texans: He's coming off a poor season (3 sacks after 11½ in 2011) but fits nicely on Houston's defense. Safety Glover Quin and punter Donnie Jones are also options. Seriously.

William Beatty, LT, New York Giants: If the Giants, who have been furiously jettisoning players, use the tag, Eli Manning's bodyguard makes more sense than tight end Martellus Bennett or safety Kenny Phillips, though the latter two would cost less. But New York also needs to pay restricted free agent Victor Cruz, so the team may not be able to afford a tag at all.

Michael Bennett, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: He may need one more "show me" year, but it doesn't seem to make sense for the Bucs to deplete their league-worst air defense by losing their best pass rusher.

Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs: He was tagged last year, and another one would drive his salary into the $11 million range. But new coach Andy Reid has a history of taking care of his young players (DeSean Jackson received a long-term deal after being tagged by the Philadelphia Eagles a year ago). And the Chiefs have a better draft fallback at tackle (Texas A&M's Luke Joeckel) than wideout, so Bowe could be prioritized ahead of Branden Albert. Kansas City also needs to figure out how to keep long underrated Pro Bowl punter Dustin Colquitt.

Jermon Bushrod, LT, New Orleans Saints: GM Mickey Loomis will have to clear out some cap space, but they need to find a way to keep Drew Brees' back covered.

Jairus Byrd, FS, Buffalo Bills: The two-time Pro Bowler has emerged as one of the NFL's better center fielders, and safeties only cost about $7 million to franchise. The Bills have already unloaded some veterans to free up space.

Ryan Clady, LT, Denver Broncos: Executive vice president of football operations John Elway has already said Clady ain't going anywhere.

Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee Titans: He's got excellent potential and would surely produce more if the Titans targeted him more. If they opt for tried and true, kicker Rob Bironas is their man.

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens: If he and the team don't get a deal done before March 4, it's a mortal lock he'll get the exclusive tag.

Dashon Goldson, FS, San Francisco 49ers: The all-pro doesn't want to be tagged in consecutive years, but don't expect the 49ers to let him get away for nothing. Coach Jim Harbaugh has already indicated Goldson is the top offseason priority.

Dustin Keller, TE, New York Jets: He's coming off an injury-ravaged season. However he's the team's best third-down option - whoever plays quarterback for the Jets in 2013 will love him - and relatively cheap ... but only if the Jets make cap room.

Phil Loadholt, RT, Minnesota Vikings: No reason to break up a line that launched Adrian Peterson to 2,097 rushing yards, and Loadholt is quite the mauler.

Pat McAfee, P, Indianapolis Colts: Good punter. Excellent on kickoffs. And only costs roughly $3 million to tag.

Henry Melton, DT, Chicago Bears: He's one of the best interior pass rushers in the league and only 26.

William Moore, SS, Atlanta Falcons: Pro Bowler carries less cost and injury risk than left tackle Sam Baker.

Andre Smith, RT, Cincinnati Bengals: DE Michael Johnson (11½ sacks in 2012) could also get the tag, though the Cincinnati defense seems to have more in-house depth than the O-line. Fortunately, the Bengals have the ability to lock one of them up quickly, allowing them to tag the other.

Sean Smith, CB, Miami Dolphins: He's got the big body (6-3, 214 pounds) coming into vogue at the position. He's also the rare player who might not mind the tag if the Dolphins put him in a "prove you're worth it" position as they did recently with defensive lineman Paul Soliai.

Anthony Spencer, OLB, Dallas Cowboys: First-time Pro Bowler is coming off a career year (11 sacks) and is one of the league's best run-stopping linebackers. Yet there are three major "buts": Spencer was tagged in 2012 and would cost around $11 million to keep; Dallas is switching to a 4-3 defense that would require him to move to defensive end; and the Cowboys don't have much cap space. It seems a long shot Spencer will stay.

Sebastian Vollmer, RT, New England Patriots: Sorry, Wes Welker, the Pats should prioritize one of the guys who keeps Tom Brady on his feet.

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