NFL Franchise Tag Tracker: Ndamukong Suh Hits Open Market
(CBS) The deadline for NFL teams to use the franchise or transition tag on pending free agents passed Monday afternoon. The league also announced that the 2015 team salary cap will be $143.28 million, up $10 million (7.7 percent) from last year.
Here's a list of players who were tagged and what their projected one-year price tag will be if the team is unable to reach a long-term agreement.
Franchise tag
* Broncos -- Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas ($12.823 million)
* Chiefs -- Outside linebacker Justin Houston ($13.195 million)
* Cowboys -- Wide receiver Dez Bryant ($12.823 million)
* Giants -- Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul ($14.813 million)
* Patriots -- Kicker Stephen Gostkowski ($4.126 million)
Transition tag
* Dolphins -- Tight end Charles Clay ($7.071 million)
The biggest omission from that list is Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who would've cost a staggering $26.9 million. Suh becomes the top available free agent when the new league year starts next Tuesday, March 10.
The Broncos and Patriots had some difficult decisions to make. As a result, Broncos tight end Julius Thomas and Patriots safety Devin McCourty are free to negotiate with other teams and will be highly coveted. The Bears have pressing needs at safety and ample cap space to be actively involved in negotiations with a player like McCourty.
Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb will also hit the open market. Cobb tops the list of a deep class of free agent wide receivers.