Top Players Not Franchise Tagged Today

    The NFL saw 6 players have a franchise tag of some sort placed on them today before the 4 PM ET deadline, March 2nd. In this article, we are going to take a good look at the players who could have been tagged, and where they may just end up.

    DT Ndamukong Suh, Lions

    Suh has been a beast for the Lions since his #2 overall selection in the 2010 NFL draft. However, I think the Lions chose not to tag him today because he's missed 2 games to suspension, and been fined by the NFL several other times for inappropriate behavior on the field. However, in 5 seasons, he's never missed a game to an injury, and he's collected 247 tackles and 38.5 sacks (including his postseason games). He's a 3 time 1st Team All-Pro player by AP, including 2014.

    Suh is going to be highly sought after by the NFL, especially by Tampa Bay, Oakland, Jacksonville, Chicago, Miami, Washington and Indianapolis. Most likely, though, I would think Oakland will land him. Oakland has so much money to spend on players, and with Suh letting his agent choose the team, Oakland will make an offer unlike any other to bring him to the Black Hole.

    WR Jeremy Maclin, Eagles

   

    The Eagles decided not to tag WR Jeremy Maclin and to let him test the WR free agent market. Maclin missed the entire 2013 season with a ACL tear during training camp, but since his rookie season in 2009, Maclin has amassed 343 catches, 4771 yards, and 36 TD's, an average of over 900 yards per season. Last season, following his ACL injury, Maclin caught a career best 82 balls for another personal high of 1318 yards while replacing former Eagle DeSean Jackson who left for Washington. He tied his personal best 10 TD mark, and was the top target on the Eagles roster.

    I don't expect Philadelphia to just let Maclin walk away. I think it was a good idea not to tag Maclin, because, in my opinion, he's not a top 5 WR in the league. I can see him ranked in the top 15, maybe the top 10, but not a top 5 guy. The Eagles know that. However, I would expect WR needy teams to come after him. Maybe Cleveland a good bit, or Oakland, or possibly the Panthers. But in the end, I don't think Maclin will leave the Philadelphia Eagles even if it costs him money.

    TE Julius Thomas, Broncos

    The Broncos wisely decided to keep Demaryius Thomas, and to move Julius Thomas into free agency. A top 5 Tight End in the league, Thomas will be highly sought after by the NFL. Let's look at the stats. Over the past 2 years, Thomas has been Peyton Manning's security blanket, catching 108 balls for 1277 yards and 12 TD's each season, a total of 24 TD's. No Bronco TE has ever caught that many TD's over 2 seasons, let alone 12 in a season. He's only fumbled twice in his career. The downside is he's missed 7 games in those 2 years to injuries, so if he can stay healthy, he'll be extremely productive.

    The Broncos don't have the money to buy both Demaryuis Thomas and Julius Thomas, so don't expect to see both players back in 2015. The Jaguars want Thomas on the team badly, with Mercedes Lewis getting old, Thomas could be the explosive security blanket that Blake Bortles needs to break out in 2015. Atlanta reportedly wants him, but can't afford him. Oakland will want him to help Derek Carr too, so Thomas has some big money contenders in 2015.

    WR Randall Cobb, Packers

    Cobb broke out in 2013 even more then he ever has. With career highs of 91 catches, 1287 yards, and 12 TD's, Cobb was a force in the Packers offense that helped Aaron Rodgers win his 2nd MVP award. In 2012, Cobb led the league in total scrimmage yards with 2342 yards. He's scored 28 TD's in 4 years, where he's missed 12 games to injuries. 

    Cobb could end up back in Green Bay in 2015, but with lots of big money teams floating out there, it'll be tough for the Packers to bring Cobb back in 2015. With Jordy Nelson and a couple other young promising receivers in Devante Adams and Jared Abbrederis, and possibly another talented young draft pick in 2015, Green Bay may just let him go. If he does hit the market, Oakland will pursue him a little. Cleveland too. However, the top teams I expect to see after him would be Carolina, to add him as the slot threat with Kelvin Benjamin, or possibly the Jets and Bills, who would want him to support young players on their teams. Either way, Cobb is another one who will be highly wooed by NFL teams.