2012 NFL Free Agents: Matt Forte and Players Who Will Get Franchise Tagged

The Super Bowl has came and gone and now there’s nothing to look forward to in the NFL but the draft and offseason moves for the next few months.

It’s not all doom and gloom, however, as many top players are available on the open market this summer.

Let’s take a look at three such players who should, without a doubt, be locked up by their current teams even if they have to use a franchise tag.

Matt Forte

Forte and the Chicago Bears struggled with contract negotiations for most of last season.

The running back believes he deserves a big contract and might just get one if the two sides cannot work something out.

If given the franchise designation, he would receive approximately $7.7 million for one season of play.

While it’s not the long-term deal Forte wants, it’s certainly a lot of money.

Wes Welker

The Patriots’ most reliable receiver failed to make the biggest catch of his career in the Super Bowl, but he isn’t going anywhere.  

Welker is a large reason for the success of the New England offense and there is no way that Bill Belichick lets him get away in the offseason.

This team can win another Super Bowl in the Tom Brady era, but they need solid receivers and Welker is one of them.

He deserves a long-term deal, but a franchise tag will suffice for the 2012-13 campaign.

Drew Brees, Carl Nicks, Marques Colston

New Orleans has three marquee free agents going on the market this summer and will do their best to retain all of them.

Brees is likely the first to get a multi-year contract. Nicks should then be rewarded as well.

This leaves Colston to be designated as a franchise player.

Of course, it may shake out differently, but one of these three guys will certainly be tagged.