2012 NFL Free Agents: The Latest on the Evaporating Pool of Free Agents

A few weeks ago, many NFL fans were excited with the possibilities that the bountiful collection of free agents provided. 

Now, that population of players is dwindling at a frenetic pace. 

Wide receivers are one of the more appealing collections in this year's free agency pool. 

Today, the Buffalo Bills signed Stevie Johnson to a five-year, $36.25 million deal. Wes Welker was just hit with the franchise tag by the New England Patriots. 

Welker is one of the latest guys to be named his team's franchise player. The Philadelphia Eagles made wideout DeSean Jackson their franchise guy late last week. 

Top guys still remain, however. Vincent Jackson, Marques Colston, Mario Manningham and Pierre Garcon will be the hottest commodities if they don't re-sign or become the franchise players of their current teams. 

The two best free agent tight ends will also be back with their 2011 teams. Green Bay's Jermichael Finley was signed to a two-year, $15 million extension in late February.

The Washington Redskins recently gave Fred Davis their franchise tag. 

A slew of defenders have been retained by their clubs over the last week and the Bay Area kicked things off. The San Francisco 49ers tagged safety Dashon Goldson while the Oakland Raiders' Tyvon Branch became the team's franchise player, too. 

The Atlanta Falcons tagged athletic cornerback Brent Grimes last week, as well. 

All three players are said to still be working out long-term deals in the meantime.

Before that, linebacker 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was inked to a six-year, $37.5 million deal with incentives that could elevate the sum to $44.5 million.

The Detroit Lions designated Cliff Avril as their franchise player today and according to Jason La Canfora, the Dallas Cowboys have done the same to edge rusher Anthony Spencer. The Arizona Cardinals say a long-term contract for defensive linemen Calais Campbell is a top priority, but they franchised him on March 2nd.

After reports surfaced that the Tennessee Titans were to make Cortland Finnegan their franchise guy, they hit safety Michael Griffin with the tag this afternoon. 

Houston Texans runner Arian Foster signed a five-year, $43.5 million contract to stay with the team and the Skittle-loving Marshawn Lynch received a four-year, $31 million deal from the Seattle Seahawks.

Not surprisingly, Ray Rice and Matt Forte were franchised by their current teams. They'll both be looking for long-term deals, however. 

Oh yeah, Drew Brees was tagged by the New Orleans Saints. 

Did you get all that?

As usual, we approach the beginning of free agency with the pool of top pending free agents quickly evaporating. 

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