Franchise tag deadline passes: A total of 10 players were slapped with the franchise tag before the Tuesday's deadline. Those players include Jets DE Muhammed Wilkerson, Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, Bills tackle Cordy Glenn, Bears WR Alshon Jeffery, Panthers CB Josh Norman, Dolphins DE Olivier Vernon, linebacker and Super Bowl MVP Von Miller, Redskins QB Kirk Cousins, Chiefs safety Eric Berry and Rams CB Trumaine Johnson.
Vernon was given the transition tag, which allows any other team to sign him to a long-term deal. Under the tag, the Dolphins owe Vernon $12.7 million in 2016 and are free to match any offer from an interested team. On the flip side, Miller received the exclusive tag, which is the first for a non-quarterback since 2007. Under the exclusive tag, no team is allowed to negotiate a long-term deal with the 26-year-old.
Cousins will make $19.95 million under the Redskins' non-exclusive tag. While teams are free to negotiate a deal with the 27-year-old, it would come at the costly price of two number-one draft picks plus whatever figure Cousins values himself at. Those factors make the likelihood of a deal slim to none.
One player who did not receive the franchise tag and will hit the open market is former Buccaneers running back Doug Martin. After back-to-back seasons of disappointment, the 27-year-old resurrected his career by rushing for 1,402 yards in 2015, which was good for the second-most in the NFL behind Adrian Peterson.
Bills release Mario Williams: The Bills released four-time Pro Bowler Mario Williams Tuesday and in the process, shaved $12.9 million against their 2016 salary cap.
The 31-year-old defensive end saw his production slip during the Bills' first season under Rex Ryan. In 15 games, Williams recorded just 19 tackles and five sacks–both the second-lowest totals of his career–after recording 42 tackles and 14.5 sacks in 2014 under Jim Schwartz.
Williams was far and away the Bills' highest-paid player over the last four seasons. He had two years remaining on a six-year, $100 million deal he signed back in 2012 and was set to count $19.9 million against the team's salary cap in 2016. His drop in production and price tag made the decision easy for the Bills.
Despite his release, the former 2006 first-overall pick will be one of the top pass rushers on the market. His drop-off in 2015 was likely due in large part to Ryan's defensive scheme. Under Schwartz in 2014, Williams set a career-high in sacks and was fourth in the league with 38 sacks from 2012-2014.
