NFL franchise tag 2020: 10 players most likely to be tagged

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys throws a pass while being pressured by Shaun Dion Hamilton #51 of the Washington Redskins in the third quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 19: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Tennessee Titans calls an audible to Jonnu Smith #81 of the Tennessee Titans over the crowd noise during the first quarter of the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 19, 2020 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

6. Ryan Tannehill

The first of several quarterbacks to make the list, Ryan Tannehill didn’t appear likely to be on it a year ago. The Miami Dolphins, Tannehill’s first organization, gave up on him for the cost of two Day 3 draft picks from the Tennesee Titans.

The plan was for Tannehill to back up talented but injury-prone Marcus Mariota, but he ended up assuming the starting job early in the season. Tannehill went on to have a fine year statistically, serving as a caretaker for an offense centered around running back Derrick Henry.

The end result was a trip to the AFC Championship Game for the Titans, who blew a 17-7 lead and lost to the eventual Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs. Tannehill played admirably in the contest, shouldering more of the load than necessary, but the Chiefs simply had too much firepower for the Titans to overcome.

Tennessee is in an interesting position this offseason, with a late first-round pick unlikely to yield their next long term quarterback. Tannehill makes a ton of sense as a bridge to the next guy, but several other teams could explore that same approach with him.

With two tags available, Tannehill is a slam dunk to receive at least one of them from the Titans, who will likely use the other on Derrick Henry. Quarterbacks earn at least $25 million with a tag, so Tannehill should be in line for a nice raise with the Titans.

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