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The NFL's deadline to use the franchise tag for the 2013 season is virtually here and several teams have confirmed they won't use the tag on a new notable players. Here are some guys that will now be unrestricted free agents that the Eagles could have interest in.
Jared Cook, TE, Tennessee Titans - I say he's a TE because that's where he's listed, but if he was going to get the franchise tag Cook argued that he deserved to be paid like a WR. It sounded like he had a case as he lined up in the slot on over 50% of his snaps last year.
The 6-5, 248 pound Cook could represent an interesting way for the Eagles to make up for a lack of size at the WR position. Cook has 131 catches for 1,717 yards and 8 TDs over his first 4 years with the Titans. With Chip Kelly's reported desire to "stockpile" TEs in his offense, Cook could certainly be a target when free agency opens March 12th.
Jake Long, OT, Miami Dolphins - The 4 time Pro Bowler will test the market after the Dolphins opted to use their tag on Randy Starks. Long is apparently looking for upwards of $11 million a year, which after 2 down seasons may be tough for him to find.
Sean Smith, CB, Miami Dolphins - Big corner that the Eagles have some rumored interest in.
Dashon Goldson, San Francisco 49ers - William Moore, Atlanta Falcons - Glover Quin, Houston Texans - All safeties due to hit the market.
Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers - When healthy, Jennings has been a very good #1 WR. However, health has seemingly been more and more rare as he's missed 11 games over the past 2 seasons. After missing the entire first half of last season, Jennings did finish strong over the last month and a half including the playoffs.
Here are the 8 players that did get tagged this season.
| Club | Player | Position | Tender amt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | Jairus Byrd | S | $6.9m |
| Bears | Henry Melton | DT | $8.45m |
| Bengals | Michael Johnson | DE | $11.18M |
| Cowboys | Anthony Spencer | LB | $10.6m |
| Broncos | Ryan Clady | OT | $9.83m |
| Colts | Pat McAfee | P | $2.98m |
| Chiefs | Branden Albert | OT | $9.83m |
| Dolphins | Randy Starks | DT | $7.02m |
Worth noting that Dallas will tag Spencer as a LB, since he played that in a 3-4, but he'll play as a 4-3 DE this year. This is the 2nd year he's been franchised in a row, so his number is higher than the $9.6 tag any other LB would have gotten.