The franchise tag is a powerful weapon that NFL teams can use to retain star players with whom they're struggling to come to terms with for long-term deals. While a number of star players have been slapped with the franchise tag already, such as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant and Kansas City Chiefs pass rusher Justin Houston, other big names are there for the taking.
Here are the top five available free agents that didn't get tagged.
Ndamukong Suh, DT
The Lions desperately want to keep Suh, arguably the top defensive lineman in football not named J.J. Watt. Suh has registered eight or more sacks in three of his five NFL seasons, and has become a force against opposing running games as well. His franchise tag would have occupied about a quarter of Detroit's entire cap this season, so they had to eschew that option and hope he will ink a long-term deal.
There are no guarantees though. Suh is a game-changing force and the notoriously reckless Washington Redskins are believed to be showing interest. Suh's character issues could depress his value somewhat, but it's unlikely.
Julius Thomas, TE
The Broncos franchise tagged WR Demaryius Thomas instead of their tight end Julius, and are expected to let him leave in free agency. With QB Peyton Manning potentially entering his final NFL season, allowing a tight end who has posted back-to-back 12-touchdown season to walk seems bizarre, but the organization has said they believe in his backup Virgil Green. There are also rumors of signing WR Andre Johnson if he's cut by the Texans.
Thomas' production will not come at a bargain anymore, and his injury history will give some teams pause. Still, consistently effective tight ends don't grow on trees.
Randall Cobb, WR
It's unlikely Cobb leaves Lambeau. He entered 2014 as a supremely talented, but injury-prone pass-catcher who needed to prove he could contribute over 16 games. He did that and more, posting career highs in receiving yards (1,287), receptions (91), and touchdowns (12). With Bryant and Thomas off the market, Cobb is the clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver target, so even though Green Bay has expressed a desire to bring him back, receiver-needy teams may blow him away.
DeMarco Murray, RB
While running back has become a devalued position in today's pass-happy NFL, Murray is the cream of the crop at the position. The cons are clear-he's been injury prone in the past, and despite top-flight production in 2014, he carried the rock a career-high 392 times. Not a typo. That's an average of 24.5 carries per game.
On the plus side, he's still got three years to go before he hits the dreaded 30 mark. He led the NFL in rushing last season with 1,845 yards and he can be trusted at the goal line. Surely he benefitted from Dallas' superb offensive line, but he's always been a potent dual threat, and he could benefit from a lighter load if he leaves Dallas.
Byron Maxwell, CB
The NFL is a passing league, and having a player who can slow down top receivers is equally as important as having a QB to throw it and receivers to make the grabs. CB isn't the strongest position in this year's market, but Maxwell is the top dog. His impact on the outside for the Legion of Boom in Seattle was clear when he moved inside following an injury to nickelback Jeremy Lane in the Super Bowl. His replacement was targeted for three Tom Brady touchdowns, and the Pats eventually won the game.
Maxwell isn't Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman, but he's a quality player at a premium position whom Seattle might've considered tagging if their cap situation wasn't so tenuous.
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