2011 NFL Free Agency: Logan Mankins and 10 Guys Who Will Refuse a Franchise Tag

In the NFL, the franchise tag is one of the main issues in the collective bargaining agreement, and the tag is something fairly unique to the sport. By applying it to a player that would otherwise be a free agent, they can keep them around for another year. The tag is not used frequently, and generally it's fairly established players who get the tag.

Logan Mankins has said that he would not be happy about getting the franchise tag for the New England Patriots, and should there be no collective bargaining agreement signed, he says the franchise option cannot be enforced, so he'll become a free agent.

Mankins is not the only one who will turn down a franchise option should he be offered one. Who are others who would rather try the free agent market?

10. Braylon Edwards

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Wide receiver Braylon Edwards #17 of the New York Jets reacts to a call during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by

Edwards strikes me as the player who thinks he's a lot more valuable than he is. He was a solid number two receiver for the Jets this past season, and that's the role he belongs in. I can see him trying to get a long-term deal this season, and even though the franchise tag would pay him more than he should get, he'll instead wait for a big deal that won't happen.

9. Phil Dawson

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 28: Punter Reggie Hodges #2 holds as kicker Phil Dawson #4 of the Cleveland Browns kicks a fourth quarter field goal against the Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt S

This one might seem surprising to put on the list. If the Browns were to put the franchise tag on him, it would make sense, as he's deserving of a solid contract. He's also been with the team forever, so why would he refuse the tag?

Dawson held out for a while last year, and he would want a multi-year contract to lead him into retirement; he'd refuse a franchise tag since he knows he has a few years left in him.

8. Cullen Jenkins

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a sack of quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears in the first half in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo

On the surface, putting a player from a Super Bowl-winning team seems ridiculous. However, there's no question that Jenkins wants to get paid. He's in his prime and had a great season, and question marks on the defensive line might hurt his value next year if he gets the franchise tag. He could sign a long-term deal with the Packers, but would not want the one-year deal.

7. Logan Mankins

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FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 03: Logan Mankins #70 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the New York Giants on September 3, 2009 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

After holding out for nearly half the season, would anyone really expect Mankins to gladly accept a franchise tag if it were thrust upon him? If the Patriots are that concerned about keeping their offensive line intact, then they should franchise Matt Light if they don't think they can get a long-term deal with him.

6. Richard Seymour

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers is chased out of the pocket by Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders in the third quarter at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders

Seymour was given the franchise tag last year after he and the Raiders could not come to a deal. Now that he has another Pro Bowl on his resume, he will be wanting another long-term deal. If the Raiders try and give him the franchise tag again, there's no way he would accept it.

If the Raiders let Nnamdi Asomugha walk, then who knows what they'll do with Seymour. It's definitely likely that he's gone as well.

5. Chad Ochocinco

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CINCINNATI - NOVEMBER 21: Chad Ochocinco #85 of the Cincinnati Bengals watches the final minute of the Bengals 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills at Paul Brown Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Chad Ochocinco had a $6 million option for next year, but seems ready to move on, having changed his name back to Chad Johnson on top of everything. If the Bengals give him the franchise tag, I don't see him accepting it, simply because he believes he can do better elsewhere, which may very well be the case.

The Jets have been lobbying to acquire Ochocinco, and since one or both receivers may be gone, that could be a viable option for all parties.

4. Jason Babin

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after a defensive stop against the Houston Texans to seal the win at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans, 31-17. (Photo by

After Albert Haynesworth left the Titans, they needed someone on the defensive line to step up their game. Jason Babin did that in spades this past season, recording 12.5 sacks in his lone season with Tennessee. After coming out of nowhere, he is going to want a big deal.

Babin will want a long-term contract since he has bounced around from team to team during his time in the NFL, and I see him turning down a franchise offer if the Titans try to place the tag on him.

3. Antonio Cromartie

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Mewelde Moore #21 of the Pittsburgh Steelers catches a pass over Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets in the third quarter of the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

It seems like a defensive back duo composed of Cromartie and Darrelle Revis would be the best in the league. Instead, Cromartie hasn't been able to come close to his outstanding 2007 season, and he seems ready to become a free agent.

It is unlikely that the Jets would give the franchise tag to him,but if they did, I couldn't see him accepting it, since he seems very much ready to test the free agent waters. How much he'll get is up for debate, but who knows, it may be more than the franchise tag allows.

2. Vincent Jackson

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SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 16: Wide receiver Vincent Jackson #83 of the San Diego Chargers celebrates scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 16, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Do

In going with the trend, someone who held out for games this past season is not going to want the franchise tag slapped on him, and Vincent Jackson is no exception. His holdout may have cost the Chargers a playoff spot, and him playing elsewhere seems more than likely.

Franchising him is a possibility since it will keep the offense intact, but I can't see Jackson agreeing to that if he held out as long as he did.

1. Peyton Manning

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 09: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 9, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Colts won 30-28. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Peyton Manning on a list with Chad Ochocinco, Vincent Jackson, and others? It sounds silly at first, but on a closer look this makes sense. Peyton Manning wants a new contract, and may end up getting one that makes him the highest-paid football player.

If the Colts are unsure about whether Manning can sustain his dominance, then they may try putting the franchise tag on him, which is actually a smart move if he's on the downswing. That being said, if Peyton knows he's hit his peak, then he'll want the big contract now while he can still get it, which the franchise tag prevents.

This one will be the most complex situation, and we'll be seeing it unfold in the next couple weeks.