2012 NFL Free Agents: The Top 5 Free Agents After the Franchise-Tag Deadline

Franchise tags were handed out like hotcakes over the last few weeks, and the deadline came and went Monday at 4 p.m. EST. 

Among the guys hit with the franchise tag on deadline day were New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, Dallas Cowboys edge-rusher Anthony Spencer and Kansas City Chiefs wideout Dwayne Bowe. 

A record number of tags were slapped on players this year, but there are a handful of high-quality players who will likely hit the open market on March 13th. 

1. Mario Williams

Williams is the headliner of the 2012 class of free agents. 

Even coming off a season-ending pectoral tear in 2011, he's one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL that systematically changes the way offenses play when they face the Texans. 

He had five sacks in the five games he played in last season and has 53 sacks in his six years in the NFL. 

At 6'6'' and 283 pounds, Williams is an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker who continually creates havoc in opponents' backfields. 

While he has flourished in Houston's 3-4 system, he has experience in the 4-3 and has the size and power to play defensive end in that alignment. 

There should be a handful of teams looking to acquire his services, but he'll come with a hefty price tag. 

Julius Peppers signed a six-year, $84 million contract with the Chicago Bears in 2010 at age 30. At 27, you'd expect Williams to want a more lucrative deal than that. 

2. Carl Nicks

Nicks was vehement in his desire not to be hit with the franchise tag by the New Orleans Saints in late February. 

Drew Brees was ultimately tagged by his team, which means there's a great chance Nicks hits the open market. 

However, don't be surprised if the Saints, although cap-strapped, will make an offer in the final few days before free agency begins on March 13th. 

Nicks is quite a formidable NFL guard. At 6'5'' and 343 pounds, he's a road-grader in the running back, and his deceptively quick feet have allowed him to become a stalwart in pass protection. 

He's only 26 and has stated he wants to be the highest-paid interior offensive lineman in the NFL. 

Who's to say he shouldn't be?

3. Vincent Jackson

Jackson has a history of contract battles with the San Diego Chargers, and they wisely didn't make him their franchise player on Monday—a move that would have been far too costly. 

As the clear-cut top wideout in this year's free-agency class, Jackson may look to make more than the $11 million the Chargers will likely offer him in annual compensation. 

At 6'5'' and 23 pounds, Jackson has special size and speed and is truly one of the most dynamic deep-threats in the NFL.

He has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark three times in his professional career. However, he's never caught more than 68 passes in San Diego's vertical passing attack.  

V-Jax is 29 years old and is looking to become one of the highest-paid wideouts in the league, but he has stated his desire to stay with the Chargers. 

4. Cortland Finnegan

Finnegan is one of the most well-rounded cornerbacks in the league.

While he excels in the nickel role, he's physical enough with enough athleticism to match up with bigger receivers on the outside. 

Even more, he's a proven commodity in run support.

Finnegan has totaled at least 63 total tackles in each of his first six seasons.

He has 14 career interceptions, so he's a playmaker as well. 

The Titans cornerback turned 28 in early February, so he still has a handful of quality years left in the tank. 

He and Brandon Carr are the top two corners in this year's class. 

5. Marques Colston

Colston is a former seventh-round pick that morphed into one of the most productive wideouts in the NFL over the last five seasons. 

Yes, the Saints offense is certainly conducive to massive receiver stat accumulation, but it's hard to ignore Colston's five seasons with more than 1,000 yards receiving. 

The only knock on Colston is that he has undergone five knee surgeries in his career. 

He's not the downfield presence Vincent Jackson is, but he's one of the best seam-route receivers in the NFL.

At 6'4'' and 225 pounds with soft hands, Colston makes grabs in traffic with relative ease.