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DT Chris Baker
2016 team: Washington Redskins
Age: 29
2015 Stats: 48 total tackles (7 for loss), 4.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles
Notes: Baker is a scheme-diverse solid run defender with 39 starts over the last three years.
DT Chris Baker
2016 team: Washington Redskins
Age: 29
2015 Stats: 48 total tackles (7 for loss), 4.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles
Notes: Baker is a
RB Le’Veon Bell
2016 team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 24
2015 Stats: 261 rushes for 1,268 yards and 7 touchdowns; 75 receptions for 616 yards and 2 touchdowns
Notes: Perhaps the best overall running back in the game when healthy, there’s no chance Bell hits the open market. Look for him to get tagged if a long-term deal can’t be worked out.
Update: The Steelers placed the exclusive franchise tag on Bell on Feb. 27.
RB Le’Veon Bell
2016 team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Age: 24
2015 Stats: 261 rushes for 1,268 yards and 7 touchdowns; 75 receptions for 616 yards and 2 touchdowns
Notes: Perhaps the best overall running back
CB A.J. Bouye
2016 team: Houston Texans
Age: 25
2015 Stats: 62 total tackles (2 for loss), interception, 16 passes defensed, sack
Notes: The former undrafted free agent had a breakout campaign in a contract year in 2016, which could mean he’s an ascendant star or buyer beware.
CB A.J. Bouye
2016 team: Houston Texans
Age: 25
2015 Stats: 62 total tackles (2 for loss), interception, 16 passes defensed, sack
Notes: The former undrafted free agent had a breakout campaign in a contract
CB Stephon Gilmore
2016 team: Buffalo Bills
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 48 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 passes defensed
Notes: The former first-round pick is a bit of a boom-or-bust player, but coming off a career high in interceptions, he could command big money on the open market.
CB Stephon Gilmore
2016 team: Buffalo Bills
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 48 total tackles, 5 interceptions, 12 passes defensed
Notes: The former first-round pick is a bit of a boom-or-bust player, but
LB Dont’a Hightower
2016 team: New England Patriots
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 65 total tackles (1 for loss), 2.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Nagging injuries have been a concern, but Hightower’s play during the postseason showed how much of a difference-maker he could be.
LB Dont’a Hightower
2016 team: New England Patriots
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 65 total tackles (1 for loss), 2.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, 2 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Nagging injuries have been a
LB Melvin Ingram
2016 team: San Diego Chargers
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 60 total tackles (10 for loss), 8 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, 5 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles
Notes: Ingram teamed with rookie Joey Bosa to give the Bolts a fearsome pass-rush duo in 2016. He’s a candidate for the franchise tag if a long-term deal can’t be worked out.
LB Melvin Ingram
2016 team: San Diego Chargers
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 60 total tackles (10 for loss), 8 sacks, 19 quarterback hits, 5 passes defensed, 5 forced fumbles
Notes: Ingram teamed with rookie Joey
SS Tony Jefferson
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 25
2015 Stats: 92 total tackles (13 for loss), 5 passes defensed, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Notes: The former undrafted free agent has developed into a top-notch run-stuffing safety in Arizona and could earn a big payday on the open market if the Cardinals let him get there.
SS Tony Jefferson
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 25
2015 Stats: 92 total tackles (13 for loss), 5 passes defensed, 2 sacks, 4 quarterback hits, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Notes: The former
LB Chandler Jones
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 49 total tackles (15 for loss), 11 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Notes: After trading away a second-round pick to acquire Jones from the Patriots last offseason, the Cardinals will slap the franchise tag on him this year.
Update: The Cardinals placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jones on Feb. 27.
LB Chandler Jones
2016 team: Arizona Cardinals
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 49 total tackles (15 for loss), 11 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered
Notes:
OG Ronald Leary
2016 team: Dallas Cowboys
Age: 27
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Leary, on the other hand, is a premier run blocker who became expendable in Dallas after they drafted La’el Collins in 2015.
OG Ronald Leary
2016 team: Dallas Cowboys
Age: 27
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Leary, on the other hand, is a premier run blocker who became expendable in Dallas after they drafted La’el Collins in 2015.
DT Dontari Poe
2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 27 total tackles (1 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Poe’s jump-pass touchdown versus Denver in Week 16 may be fans’ overriding memory of Poe, but with Berry likely to be franchised, it’s possible the run-stuffer could enter the open market.
DT Dontari Poe
2016 team: Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 26
2015 Stats: 27 total tackles (1 for loss), 1.5 sacks, 9 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Poe’s jump-pass touchdown versus
WR Terrelle Pryor
2016 team: Cleveland Browns
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and 4 touchdowns
Notes: The former quarterback broke out in 2016 and looked like one of the few above average players on Cleveland’s roster. With over $100 million in cap space, expect them to work something out.
WR Terrelle Pryor
2016 team: Cleveland Browns
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 77 receptions for 1,007 yards and 4 touchdowns
Notes: The former quarterback broke out in 2016 and looked like one of the few above
DT Kawann Short
2016 team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 55 total tackles (12 for loss), 6 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Short’s 2016 season didn’t quite live up to his monster 11-sack 2015 campaign, but he’ll likely still earn a franchise tag from the Panthers.
Update: The Panthers placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Short on Feb. 27.
DT Kawann Short
2016 team: Carolina Panthers
Age: 28
2015 Stats: 55 total tackles (12 for loss), 6 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, 3 passes defensed, forced fumble
Notes: Short’s 2016 season didn’t quite live up
OG Larry Warford
2016 team: Detroit Lions
Age: 25
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Warford isn’t a star, but with 57 solid starts over four NFL seasons and still in the prime of his career, he should earn decent money on the open market.
OG Larry Warford
2016 team: Detroit Lions
Age: 25
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: Warford isn’t a star, but with 57 solid starts over four NFL seasons and still in the prime of his career, he should earn decent
DT Brandon Williams
2016 team: Baltimore Ravens
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 51 total tackles (4 for loss), sack, 2 quarterback hits, pass defensed
Notes: A run-stuffing nose tackle, look for Williams to command a deal similar to the five-year, $46.25 million contract Damon Harrison got with the Giants last year.
DT Brandon Williams
2016 team: Baltimore Ravens
Age: 27
2015 Stats: 51 total tackles (4 for loss), sack, 2 quarterback hits, pass defensed
Notes: A run-stuffing nose tackle, look for Williams to command
OG Kevin Zeitler
2016 team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 26
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: One of the most balanced guards in the league, the former first-round pick should be highly coveted on the open market, assuming he gets there.
OG Kevin Zeitler
2016 team: Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 26
2015 Stats: NA
Notes: One of the most balanced guards in the league, the former first-round pick should be highly coveted on the open market,
A handful of the NFL’s top unrestricted free agents were essentially taken off the market on Monday due to the franchise player designation.
Three players — Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell, Arizona linebacker Chandler Jones and Carolina defensive tackle Kawann Short — were each tagged as franchise players by their teams Monday, with a fourth — New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul — reportedly set to be tagged on Tuesday.
RELATED: Could Seahawks pursue former RT Breno Giacomini after release?
None of the four seemed like possible Seahawks targets in free agency, but the removal of the upper echelon of the free-agent class will likely have a domino effect on the market as a whole.
Only Bell, who totaled 1,884 yards and nine touchdowns from scrimmage in 12 games last year, was slapped with the “exclusive right” franchise tag, which all but ensures he’ll play for the Steelers next season. Players designated as exclusive rights franchise players are forbidden from negotiating with other teams in exchange for a one-year deal at the average of the top-five salaries at his position for the upcoming season (or 120 percent of his previous year’s salary, whichever is greater).
Conversely, Jones and Short were designated “non-exclusive rights” franchise players, which results in a one-year deal at the average of the top-five salaries at his position for the previous season. These players may negotiate potential contract offers with other teams, but their original team is given an opportunity to match any offer or recoup two first-round picks as compensation if the player goes elsewhere.
RELATED: Seahawks awarded pair of compensatory 3rd-round picks
Bell, Jones, Short and Pierre-Paul likely won’t be the only players designated with the franchise tag. Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Melvin Ingram, Kansas City safety Eric Berry, Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins seem destined to end up with the designation as well barring successful negotiation of long-term deals.
Check out the league’s top unrestricted free agents — tagged or not — in the gallery above.
Visit seattlepi.com for more Seattle Seahawks news. Contact sports reporter Stephen Cohen at stephencohen@seattlepi.com or @scohenPI.
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