NFL Teams Have Until 4pm ET To Use Franchise Tag

Expect a busy day on the NFL news front, as teams have until 4pm ET today to use the franchise tag. Eleven players have already received the tender, putting the league on pace to exceed last year's total of 14 players receiving the franchise tag.

Here's a list of players who have been tagged (offense, defense projections)

Arizona Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell (projected cost: $10.595 million)
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes (projected cost: $10.431 million)
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (projected cost: $7.778 million)
Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (projected cost: $7.778 million)
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Mike Nugent (projected cost: $2.665 million)
Cleveland Browns kicker Phil Dawson (projected cost: $3.81 million)
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (projected cost: ~$15.76 million)
Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch (projected cost: $6.22 million)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson (projected cost: $9.443 million)
San Francisco 49ers safety Dashon Goldson (projected cost: $6.22 million)
Washington Redskins tight end Fred Davis (projected cost: $5.416 million)

The Seattle Seahawks avoided having to use the tag on running back Marshawn Lynch, signing the two-time Pro Bowler to a four-year, $32 million contract extension on Sunday. The Buffalo Bills are nearing a five-year extension with wide receiver Steve Johnson.

Restricted free agent running back Arian Foster agreed to a five-year extension with the Houston Texans on Monday morning. Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace, also a restricted free agent, is a candidate to receive the franchise tag, but the team intends to place the "First Round" restricted free agent tender on the receiver.

Dallas Cowboys linebacker Anthony Spencer, Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe, New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth and Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin may also receive the franchise tag today.

The Texans could use the franchise tag on linebacker Mario Williams, but would have to clear considerable room under their salary cap to do so. Because Williams' cap number in 2011 was over $18 million, his franchise tender would be worth $21.99 million in base salary, which would be guaranteed once signed.

San Diego Chargers wide receiver Vincent Jackson and Miami Dolphins nose tackle Paul Soliai received the franchise tag in 2011, but the 120 percent increase may keep their clubs from using the tender a second time. For the Chargers, Jackson's tender would be worth $13.709 million, while Soliai's tender would be worth $14.971 million.