Tag Tracker

Jimmy Graham is the face of the 2014 franchise tag 'class.'(USATSI)

Franchise tag season is here. (The deadline for teams to use the tag is 4 p.m. ET on Monday, March 3.)

We'll track all the players who got the tag below, along with analysis and salaries. Basically your one-stop shop for franchise-tag news.

Salary info for the tag is based on the $133 million salary cap and are much higher than most ever anticipated.

It's worth noting that two candidates for the tag won't be getting it. CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora reports the Colts won't use their franchise tag on cornerback Vontae Davis. And the Dolphins signed cornerback Brent Grimes to a four-year deal Monday, removing the need to tag him.

2014 NFL Franchise Tags
Team	Player	Tag Salary	Analysis
	Jimmy Graham, TE	$7.05M	Graham was unsurprisingly tagged by the Saints. It was non-exclusive but don't expect anyone to pay two firsts and a new contract. Do expect a fight from Graham about WR ($12M) TE ($7M) distinction.
	Greg Hardy, DE	$13.1M	The uber-talented defensive end was never getting to free agency. "Krakken" should get a big deal from the Panthers, but with the base starting at Charles Johnson money, it may be tough. Cap issues abound.
	Brian Orakpo, LB	$11.5M	The Redskins hit Orakpo with the franchise tag on Monday and it's reported to be non-exclusive. Can't let homegrown pass-rushing talent leave.
	Nick Folk, K	$3.56M	Tagging a kicker may seem crazy, but the cost is low enough that it's not prohibitive. Better than letting Folk walk.
	Alex Mack, C, Transition Tag	$10.04M	The Browns have tons of cap space so they can see what the market bears and then match any deal.
	Jason Worilds, LB, Transition Tag	$9.75M	Is this a Hail Mary for Pittsburgh? They're cap-strapped and could be stuck with a $10M player for one year.

NFL Hot News

Could WR Danny Amendola be one-and-done with Patriots?



The Patriots signed Danny Amendola to a five-year contract last March, but there is at least a chance that the oft-injured wideout doesn't last long enough to see year two in New England.Bleacher Report's Dan Pompei wrote Friday that Amendola's name has been "floated" in trade talks by anonymous NFL teams. There is also talk by beat writers that Amendola could be cut. It would cost the Patriots $4.8 million to cut Amendola, but if they designate him as a post-June 1 cut, they would have to pay only $1.2 million of that price this year



Amendola suffered a debilitating groin injury in Week 1 and never seemed to be the same after that 10-catch, 104-yard performance. He missed four games, topped 60 yards just twice more and saw his playing time reduced severely late in the season. Injuries are a part of the package with Amendola, but I think he can still be very productive in this offense IF he stays healthy. However, it sounds like Amendola's future is directly tied to whether or not the Patriots re-sign free agent wide receiver Julian Edelman.