The period to designate impending free agents with the franchise tag has come and gone with eight teams deciding to use the tag (down from 21 last year). The players designated are OTs Ryan Clady (Denver) and Branden Albert (Kansas City), DTs Randy Starks (Miami) and Henry Melton (Chicago), DE Michael Johnson (Cincinnati), LB Anthony Spencer (Dallas), S Jairus Byrd (Buffalo), and P Pat McAfee (Indianapolis). Brad Wells of SB Nation breaks down what it all means and examines key players who were able to avoid the tag, enabling them to shop their services on the open market next week.
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