NFL franchise tag 2022: 10 players most likely to be tagged

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 22: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 of the Green Bay Packers tries to avoid a tackle by free safety Jimmie Ward #1 of the San Francisco 49ers defends during the 1st quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 22, 2022 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 14: Trevor Siemian #15 of the New Orleans Saints is tackled by Harold Landry III #58 of the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on November 14, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Saints 23-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

4. NFL free agents likely to receive the franchise tag – Harold Landry

Aside from quarterbacks, the most frequently tagged positions in the NFL are edge rushers or offensive tackles. This year’s free-agent class is very light on edge rushers with Tennessee’s Harold Landry the top sack artist set to hit the market.

The Titans saw Landry blossom as an edge-rushing force in 2021 as he racked up a career-high 12 sacks. Landry was an important part of a solid Tennessee defense that helped the Titans emerge as the AFC’s No. 1 overall seed, making him the top priority for Tennessee this offseason.

Edge rushers who do manage to hit free agency get paid handsomely even without long track records of star production. Carl Landry got a huge contract from the Jets last spring while the Bengals replaced him with Trey Hendrickson, a key figure on their defensive line as they got to the Super Bowl.

Landry is seeking at least $17 million a year from the Titans, who already have to balance long-term contracts for Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry with new deals for players like him. The tag value for an edge rusher is right around there so this could be a band-aid solution until the two sides can work out a long-term deal.

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