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Football

Eight notable NFL players set for free agency after avoiding franchise tag

Joe Mewis
Eight notable NFL players set for free agency after avoiding franchise tagMichael Owens/Getty Images
NFL sides can no longer issue the franchise tag ahead of the start of free agency next week.

The franchise tag deadline has passed with just nine teams taking advantage of the ruling to prevent key players from entering free agency next week. 

That means we now have a clearer idea of how the free agent market will look, although there is still time for some last-minute deal-making between now and the start of the legal tampering period on Monday. 

Here are some of the bigger names not to be handed the franchise tag this week. 

Chris Jones - Kansas City Chiefs

The best player on the Super Bowl-winning defense will command a huge deal and could be made the highest-paid defensive player in the history of the game after the Chiefs opted to tag L’Jarius Sneed instead. 

Christian Wilkins - Miami Dolphins

If the Dolphins had more cap room to play with, defensive tackle Wilkins would likely have been tagged after his nine-sack season. Instead, he should find himself plenty of suitors in the open market. 

Baker Mayfield - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With the Buccaneers opting to tag Antoine Winfield Jr, it means Mayfield is due to hit free agency. The team will be hoping to agree a new deal for their quarterback, just as they did with star wide receiver Mike Evans this week. 

Saquon Barkley - New York Giants

The former offensive rookie of the year was tagged last year, but the Giants are letting the 27-year-old test free agency this offseason. 

Xavier McKinney - New York Giants

Aside from Barkley, The Giants had another tag contender in safety Xavier McKinney, who registered 116 tackles as he played the best football of his career last season. With Winfield being tagged, McKinney looks to be the best safety available in free agency. 

Josh Jacobs - Las Vegas Raiders

Joining Barkley in a stacked running back free agency clash is Josh Jacobs, after the Las Vegas Raiders opted against using the tag on the fifth-year player. 

Michael Onwenu - New England Patriots

The Patriots opted to use the lesser-spotted transition tag on Kyle Dugger, meaning that offensive lineman Onwenu hits the market and should be in for a big payday. 

Calvin Ridley - Jacksonville Jaguars

Another team with two tag-worthy players, the Jaguars handed their franchise tag out to Josh Allen, meaning that receiver Ridley is slated to hit the market if a deal isn’t reached in the coming days. 

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