Every offseason, the first crucial decision for each team is to decide whether to use their franchise tag or not. This allows a team more time if they cannot get a contract signed with one of their star players. Here are the top candidates to earn the franchise tag for each NFL team.
Arizona Cardinals: Dan Williams
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Arizona Cardinals: Dan Williams
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A first-round pick in 2010, Dan Williams is the run stuffer in the Arizona Cardinals' 3-4 defense. As a nose tackle, his statistics won't be outstanding, but his role is crucial for the Cards' defense.
Atlanta Falcons: Kroy Biermann
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Atlanta Falcons: Kroy Biermann
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Atlanta's pass rush isn't anything spectacular, but their best rusher is Kroy Biermann. Biermann is a versatile player who plays multiple roles in Atlanta's scheme, and he still put up good numbers with a team-high 4.5 sacks.
Baltimore Ravens: Justin Forsett
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Baltimore Ravens: Justin Forsett
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With Ray Rice's release, Justin Forsett became Baltimore's top running back and one of the best running backs in the NFL. Forsett had a career-year, rushing for more than 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns.
Buffalo Bills: C.J. Spiller
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Buffalo Bills: C.J. Spiller
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Buffalo's first-round pick in 2010, C.J. Spiller, was one of their most dangerous weapons before being injured late in the 2014 season. Spiller finished with 425 all-purpose yards in nine games, and even had a 102-yard kick return this season.
Carolina Panthers: Byron Bell
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Carolina Panthers: Byron Bell
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Byron Bell may not be a superstar at left tackle, but his presence helped solidify a rotating Carolina Panthers offensive line all season. Bell started all 16 games and was responsible for protecting Cam Newton's blindside.
Chicago Bears: Lance Briggs
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Chicago Bears: Lance Briggs
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Lance Briggs is one of the best defenders in Bears history, but even after an injury-riddled 2014, his presence and leadership are still vital for Chicago's defense going forward. In eight games, Briggs recorded 35 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
Cincinnati Bengals: Rey Maualuga
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Cincinnati Bengals: Rey Maualuga
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With Vontaze Burfict missing most of the 2014 season, Rey Maualuga stepped up and had a great season for the Cincinnati Bengals. When he was in the lineup, Cincinnati's defense was substantially better than when he was out of the lineup. His presence was clearly missed during their Wild Card loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
Cleveland Browns: Jordan Cameron
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Cleveland Browns: Jordan Cameron
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With Josh Gordon missing most of the 2014 season, Jordan Cameron became Cleveland's No. 1 receiving threat before concussions ended his season. In 10 games, Cameron recorded 24 receptions for 424 yards and two touchdowns.
Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant
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Dallas Cowboys: Dez Bryant
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In a contract year, Dez Bryant had his best season ever for the Dallas Cowboys. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy recorded 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and an NFL-high 16 touchdown receptions.
Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas
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Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas
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The first receiver drafted in 2010, Demaryius Thomas has quietly been one of the league's best receivers. In 2014, Thomas recorded 111 receptions for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh
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Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh
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One of the league's best interior linemen, Ndamukong Suh was the leader on Detroit's No. 1-ranked run defense. The former Nebraska Cornhusker earned his third straight Pro Bowl appearance after recording 8.5 sacks and 54 tackles in 2014.
Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb
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Green Bay Packers: Randall Cobb
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One of the league's most versatile players, Randall Cobb recorded career highs in receptions (91), receiving yards (1,287) and receiving touchdowns (12) in 2014.
Houston Texans: Kareem Jackson
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Houston Texans: Kareem Jackson
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Houston's first-round pick in 2010, Kareem Jackson has been one of the team's best corners as he recorded a team-high three interceptions in 2014. He also recorded nine pass deflections and 57 tackles in 13 games.
Indianapolis Colts: Reggie Wayne
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Indianapolis Colts: Reggie Wayne
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Reggie Wayne did not post great numbers this season, but his impact on the Indianapolis Colts is more than the numbers indicate. Wayne recorded 64 receptions for 779 yards and two touchdowns, but his leadership has helped both T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief become major threats this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Cecil Shorts
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Cecil Shorts
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Jacksonville's passing attack isn't elite in any way, but their best receiver is still Cecil Shorts. Shorts once again led the Jags in receptions with 53 for 577 yards and one touchdown. He also had a touchdown pass in Week 17 against Houston.
Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston
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Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Houston
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J.J. Watt was the NFL's best defender in 2014, but not far behind him was Kansas City Chiefs' Justin Houston. Houston set a franchise record and led the NFL with 22 sacks in 2014 to go along with four forced fumbles.
Miami Dolphins: Knowshon Moreno
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Miami Dolphins: Knowshon Moreno
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Signed away from the Denver Broncos this past offseason, Knowshon Moreno was off to a great start with Miami before injuries ended his season. In just three games, Moreno ran for 148 yards on 31 carries with one score. Most of that came in Week 1 against New England with 134 yards on 24 carries.
Minnesota Vikings: Jasper Brinkley
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Minnesota Vikings: Jasper Brinkley
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After starting just three games in 2013, Jasper Brinkley started 11 this season at middle linebacker and recorded 75 tackles. Brinkley also recorded his first NFL sack in 2014, along with a forced fumble.
New England Patriots: Devin McCourty
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New England Patriots: Devin McCourty
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After failing as a corner, Devin McCourty has been a solid free safety for the New England Patriots. In 2014, McCourty recorded two interceptions and 72 tackles. He also had a crucial interception yesterday to seal the Patriots' win over Baltimore.
New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram
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New Orleans Saints: Mark Ingram
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After being labeled as a bust for most of his career, Mark Ingram had his best season in 2014 for the New Orleans Saints. Ingram carried the ball 226 times and gained 964 yards to go along with nine touchdowns, all career highs.
New York Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul
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New York Giants: Jason Pierre-Paul
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After a disappointing 2013 campaign, Jason Pierre-Paul bounced back with a great season in 2014. In 16 games, Pierre-Paul recorded 12.5 sacks, forced three fumbles and had 77 tackles.
New York Jets: David Harris
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New York Jets: David Harris
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One of the most consistent linebackers in the NFL, David Harris had another great season in 2014. Harris recorded a career-high 5.5 sacks to go along with two forced fumbles and 124 tackles.
Oakland Raiders: Charles Woodson
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Oakland Raiders: Charles Woodson
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One of the greatest defensive backs in NFL history, Charles Woodson had another productive season in 2014. Woodson recorded 111 tackles and four interceptions in 16 starts.
Update: Woodson has already re-signed with the Raiders.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremy Maclin
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Philadelphia Eagles: Jeremy Maclin
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Coming off a season-ending injury in 2013, Jeremy Maclin had his finest season in 2014. The former Missouri Tiger recorded career-highs in receptions (85), receiving yards (1,318) and receiving touchdowns (10).
Pittsburgh Steelers: Jason Worilds
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Pittsburgh Steelers: Jason Worilds
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In a contract year, Jason Worilds tied for a team-high with 7.5 sacks, and he was Pittsburgh's best outside rusher. Worilds also recorded an interception, a forced fumbles and 62 tackles in 16 starts.
San Diego Chargers: Brandon Flowers
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San Diego Chargers: Brandon Flowers
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Acquired this offseason from Kansas City, Brandon Flowers was San Diego's best corner, as he finished with three interceptions and 10 pass deflections in 14 games.
San Francisco 49ers: Frank Gore
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San Francisco 49ers: Frank Gore
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The all-time leading rusher in San Francisco 49ers history, Frank Gore had another solid season for the team. Gore ran for 1,106 yards and four touchdowns on 255 carries.
Seattle Seahawks: Byron Maxwell
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Seattle Seahawks: Byron Maxwell
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In his first season as a starter, Byron Maxwell started opposite Richard Sherman and had a good season for the Legion of Boom. Maxwell recorded two interceptions and 12 pass deflections in 13 games.
St. Louis Rams: Kenny Britt
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St. Louis Rams: Kenny Britt
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In his first season with the St. Louis Rams, Kenny Britt was the team's best receiver, as he recorded 48 receptions for 748 yards and three touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mason Foster
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mason Foster
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Tampa Bay's defense struggled mightily in 2014, but Mason Foster was one of the few bright spots. In 2014, Foster recorded 62 tackles in 10 games with three pass deflections.
Tennessee Titans: Derrick Morgan
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Tennessee Titans: Derrick Morgan
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Playing out of position last year, Derrick Morgan had one of his best seasons with the Tennessee Titans. In 16 games, Morgan recorded a career-high 6.5 sacks with 63 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Washington Redskins: Brian Orakpo
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Washington Redskins: Brian Orakpo
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Still Washington's best pass rusher, Brian Orakpo had a bad 2014 campaign, playing in just seven games due to injury. He finished with only half a sack after recording 10 in 2013.
Brian Kalchik is a Houston Texans writer forwww.RantSports.com. Follow him onTwitter, like him onFacebook or add him to your network onGoogle+.
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