2012 NFL Free Agent Predictions: Stars Who Will Get the Franchise Tag

On Monday, the NFL's franchise tag period went into effect. It will last until March 5th, and it will result in numerous stars staying put right where they're at.

No team has an easy call to make with its franchise tag, but the teams that stand to lose stars to free agency have tough decisions to make. Do they apply the tag, or do they let their stars go to free agency and try to re-sign them once they're on the open market?

I'll tell you right now that there are at least five players who are stone-cold locks to get the franchise tag. They are listed below.

Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs had a tough decision to make with their franchise tag, as it was basically between Dwayne Bowe and cornerback Brandon Carr.

Then the Chiefs surprised everyone by signing former Oakland Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt. They could use the franchise tag on Carr, but they really don't need to bring him back now that they have Routt in their secondary.

There's little point in them committing so much money to one area.

Bringing back Bowe is much more important. He's been the team's top wide receiver ever since he entered the league, and the Chiefs simply don't know if Jonathan Baldwin is ready for a starring role yet.

Tagging Bowe is the smartest and safest move the Chiefs can made. And for what it's worth, Adam Teicher of The Kansas City Star thinks they'll do it.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

The Bears should have locked up Matt Forte a long time ago, but they seem committed to signing him to a cost-effective (see "cheap") extension. Forte is better than that, but the Bears clearly have their own ideas.

Team president and CEO Ted Phillips made it pretty clear that the Bears aren't about to lose Forte, telling ESPN 100 (via ESPNChicago.com) that the team doesn't have "any intention of letting Matt hit the open market."

An extension would bring Forte back, but talks between the two sides haven't gone smoothly. Forte has already rejected an offer that would have guaranteed him somewhere between $13 and $14 million.

A holdout could be in the cards if the Bears tag Forte, but that's a risk they should be willing to take. They really can't afford to lose him.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

DeSean Jackson had a season to forget in 2011, and that should make the Eagles' decision to franchise him that much easier. 

Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote earlier this month that Jackson is a lock to get franchised for several reasons. At the very least, it will keep Jackson in Philly for one more season. It also gives the Eagles a chance to trade him if they so please, or they could work out a contract extension.

Jackson should be just fine with a one-year deal under the franchise tag if it comes to it. He would get offers if he were to test the open market, but another season to rebuild his reputation could only help him in the event he hits free agency next season.

A motivated Jackson will help the Eagles, that much goes without saying. Even if the Eagles don't keep him beyond 2012, having Jackson around will make a huge difference.

Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Jason La Canfora of the NFL Network reported a couple days ago that the Seahawks are "deep in talks" with Marshawn Lynch, who rushed for over 1,200 yards in 2011.

I'm going to assume that the Seahawks will come to their wits and not break the bank to sign Lynch to an extension. That would be foolish.

Franchising Lynch is going to end up being Seattle's best play.

Danny O'Neil of The Seattle Times reported earlier this month that running backs aren't set to make that much under the tag, and the truth is that the Seahawks should be wary of signing Lynch to an extension. His style of running leaves him open to injuries and wear and tear, and Lynch has already been at this for six seasons.  

The Seahawks should take no chances by signing him to an extension—one that will call for a hefty financial commitment, no less.

Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots

This is a tough one. It's hard to imagine New England's offense without Wes Welker, but it's also hard to imagine the Patriots giving him the kind of extension worthy of his production.

Ian R. Rapoport of the Boston Herald reported this week that talks between Welker and the Patriots have not gone "smoothly," and that they are struggling to reach a breakthrough.

ESPN's Adam Schefter put it much more bluntly, saying last week (via ESPNBoston.com) that he expects the Patriots to tag Welker.

An extension could and probably will be hammered out at some point, but the Patriots don't want to risk letting Welker hit the open market. They'd risk losing him to a team with deep pockets, plenty of cap space and a need for an elite possession receiver.