NFL Franchise Tag 2015: Who Got Tagged, Who Didn't

Who Did

Denver Broncos tag WR Demaryius Thomas - Mile High Report story

It'll cost the Broncos $12m in 2015 to keep DT who had the second-most receiving yards in 2014 and fourth-most in 2013. Hard to think it's not worth it as they continue to work towards a long-term deal.

Kansas City Chiefs tag OLB Justin Houston - Arrowhead Pride story

Same setup for the Chiefs and their sackmaster who led the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014, and same effort to get to long-term contract.

Dallas Cowboys tag WR Dez Bryant - Blogging the Boys story

Had to happen, even at the exclusion of one of the "Who Didn't" candidates below. Dez is just too damn good.

New York Giants tag DE Jason Pierre-Paul - Big Blue View story

JPP rebounded in a big way in 2014 with 12.5 sacks. Having just turned 26 at the end of February, he's in for a big payday...whether it's with the Giants or someone else in 2016.

Miami Dolphins tag TE Charles Clay - Phinsider story

Clay had a breakout year in 2013 but dipped just slightly last season. Now in the Jared Cook vein, the Dolphins have to see if his ceiling can push up even higher or, if like Cook, he's hit his plateau.

New England Patriots tag K Stephen Gostkowski - Pats Pulpit story

Perhaps the key tag of the day, it meant a certain someone didn't get tagged...

Who Didn't

New England Patriots DON'T tag FS Devin McCourty

Devin's been a mainstay of the Patriots' defense since being selected late in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He's gonna get paid well now as a prime FA candidate.

Detroit Lions DON'T tag DT Ndamukong Suh - Pride of Detroit story

Perhaps the premier free agent of the season, Suh's in the thick of his prime at just 28 years old. Wherever he lands, it'll be a huge get.

Dallas Cowboys DON'T tag RB DeMarco Murray

It was Murray or Bryant, and RBs just aren't as valuable of a position as they were a decade ago.

Green Bay Packers DON'T tag WR Randall Cobb

Cobb turned into the undersized athlete the Rams were hoping they were getting in Tavon Austin. Topping 1,200 yards and 10 TDs in 2014, he's sent to make a mint this offseason.

Philadelphia Eagles DON'T tag WR Jeremy Maclin - Bleeding Green Nation story

Maclin came out in 2014 and put up his best season as a pro in his six-year career quickly putting to bed worries over his injury-erased 2013 season. To boot, he's just 26. Big storyline, this.

Buffalo Bills DON'T tag OLB/DE Jerry Hughes

Hughes has put up 10 sacks in each of the last two seasons. That's a lot of production about to hit the market for a 26-year old.

Denver Broncos DON'T tag TE Julius Thomas

1,200 yards and 24 touchdowns in the last two seasons...Peyton or not, someone's going in for that kind of production.

Cleveland Browns DON'T tag Jordan Cameron

Two years prior, Cameron topped 900 yards and hauled in seven TD receptions. last year, injuries carved out half of his production. If he comes back fully healthy for 2015, he could be a big addition for a TE-hungry team.