Nine NFL teams The tag was used on a player set to become a free agent.
Eight — Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike, Panthers linebacker Brian Burns, Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson, Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr., Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen, senior cornerback Larios Snead and Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. — received the franchise tag. Exclusivity.
The Patriots applied the transition tag to safety Kyle Dugger.
These were some of the best players PFT Top 100 Free Agents Listand Bucs receiver Mike Evans, who was No. 11, signed a two-year contract to return to Tampa.
But plenty of top players are still available as unrestricted free agents, with legal tampering set to begin next week.
Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins, the top two free agents on the PFT, were not tagged.
Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (No. 8 overall), Vikings forward Danielle Hunter (No. 12 overall), Jets edge Bryce Huff (No. 14 overall), Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (No. 15 overall), Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reader (No. 16 overall), Patriots offensive tackle Michael Onwenu (No. 17 overall), Seahawks defensive tackle Leonard Williams (No. 18 overall) and Panthers linebacker Frankie Lufo (No. 19 overall) are the rest of PFT's top 10 free agents. Free unrestricted after tag deadline.
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