Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah and Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry have already been franchise tagged by their respective teams, ensuring the two players do not reach free agency on March 14. Tuesday, March 6 is the last day NFL teams can tag a player. After that deadline, the free agency landscape will come into focus.
Another player who is expected to be taken off of the market before Tuesday is Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell, who is likely to be tagged for the second-straight year at the cost of just over $14.5 million. After that, the Steelers and Bell's representatives will continue to work on a deal, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The Dallas Cowboys filed the paperwork with the NFL to use the franchise tag on pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence. Dallas never had any the intention of allowing him to reach free agency.
"We won't let D-Law not be a Dallas Cowboy next year," Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said last month. "We'll do everything we can to try to make something work, and if we don't get it done, then we'll franchise tag him. Then we'll go back to work."
The Jacksonville Jaguars were expected to use the franchise tag on wide receiver Allen Robinson. However, a recent report states that Jacksonville is likely to allow him to hit free agency instead while the team focuses its efforts on retaining receiver Marqise Lee.
Other big-name players who could hit the open market include Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller, Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins and cornerback Trumaine Johnson. Of course, there will be no bigger name than Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, who is expected to patiently test free agency but eventually land an NFL-record deal with a new team.
The San Francisco 49ers are expected to be in play for some receiver and cornerback help in free agency but are not likely to heavily pursue many of their own scheduled free agents. With quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo now signed to a five-year deal worth up to $137.5 million, San Francisco is not expected to utilize the franchise tag this year. Unless team-friendly deals can be reached, players like running back Carlos Hyde and safety Eric Reid will reach free agency.
49ers general manager John Lynch said last week that the team would like to bring back linebacker Brock Coyle and expected to meet with Hyde's agent, Doug Hendrickson, at the NFL Scouting Combine, but no new deals are imminent.