The NFL deadline to franchise/transition tag players has passed. A total of six players were tagged by the 4:00 PM ET deadline. Here's an in-depth look at each player, as well as other notable players not tagged.

Transition Tag (Average of 10 highest-paid players at the position, or 120% of the player's salary, whichever is greater. Other teams can make an offer without giving the original team any compensation. The original team can match the offer.)

Miami Dolphins TE Charles Clay

The Dolphins placed the transition tag on TE Charles Clay, meaning he will be paid $7.071 million, making him the league's highest-paid tight end in 2015. Another team can still sign Clay to an offer sheet without giving up two first-round picks to the Dolphins like the non-exclusive tag would have done. However, Miami can match the offer and retain Clay if it chooses. Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reported that at least 3-4 teams are interested in Clay, so it is likely he will be made other offers. Charles Clay has been inconsistent thus far in his career, but he is only 26 years old and would be a great addition for any team in need of a tight end.

Franchise Tag (Average of 5 highest-paid players at the position or 120% of player's salary, whichever is greater. Other teams can sign the player to an offer if the original team doesn't match it. However, the other team has to give up two first-round picks.)

Denver Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas

The Broncos franchise tagged Demaryius Thomas, meaning he will be paid about $12.8 million in 2015. Thomas is coming off a career year in 2014, posting 111 receptions for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Broncos expressed that they would like to get a long-term deal done with Thomas, but are content with franchise-tagging him for now. Thomas is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL at the age of 27, so his best years may still be ahead of him.

Dallas Cowboys WR Dez Bryant

Demaryius Thomas wasn't the only receiver to be tagged today. Cowboys star receiver Dez Bryant will also be paid $12.8 million in 2015, deservedly so after leading the NFL in touchdown receptions with 16. Bryant and the Cowboys are trying to get a deal done, but nothing has happened yet. Bryant is likely to hold out in the offseason until he gets paid as a top receiver in the league. The media circus surrounding the video incident may not help him too much either.

Kansas City Chiefs OLB Justin Houston

If it weren't for Texans DE J.J. Watt's historic year, Houston would have won Defensive Player of the Year last season. He led the league in sacks with 22, half a sack away from the NFL record. He and the Chiefs were trying to work out a new deal, but are unable to do so right now. Houston is considering holding out a long time, possibly until Week 10 to sign the franchise tag. He may file a grievance with the NFLPA to be considered a defensive end instead of linebacker, since the tag for defensive ends is $14.8 million compared to $13.2 million for linebackers. The Chiefs would be smart to sign Houston to a long-term deal to avoid the drama of a holdout.

New York Giants DE Jason Pierre-Paul

The Giants tagged Pierre-Paul, meaning he will be paid $14.8 million in 2015. He played well in 2014, registering 12.5 sacks. However, nine came in the final five games. Although he's inconsistent the Giants, among other teams, are enamored in his potential. The Giants will continue to try to lock up JPP long-term according to Ian Rapoport, but are content with paying him $14.8 million.

New England Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski

That's right, a kicker was franchise tagged. Stephen Gostkowski will be paid $4.56 million in 2015. He is one of the league's best kickers, so it only makes sense for the Patriots to keep him around. (Kickers are people too.)

Players not tagged

Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh

Suh may be the best free agent this offseason, but the tag would have cost the Lions too much. Since Suh's salary in 2014 was $22.4 million, a franchise tag would cost the Lions a whopping $26.8 million (120% of salary). The Lions have eight days to sign Suh to a long-term deal before he hits the open market, where teams with tons of cash like the Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders are drooling for the oppurtunity to sign him.

Dallas Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray

Since the Cowboys tagged Dez Bryant, that means the NFL's leading rusher last season is likely to hit the open market. Some teams like the Tennesse Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns will likely love to get their hands on Murray, who led the NFL with 1,845 rushing and 13 touchdowns, and pay him what he's asking for. However, don't rule the Cowboys out just yet.

Philadelphia Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin

Maclin had a career year last season, racking up 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is confident that he and the Eagles will figure out a deal, but a team like the Chiefs will be interested in him since head coach Andy Reid coached Maclin in Philadelphia.

Denver Broncos TE Julius Thomas

Since Denver tagged the other Thomas, Demaryius, Julius will likely hit free agency where its unlikely he'll return to Denver. Thomas was not as dominant as he was in 2013, but he still had 12 touchdown catches. He will get paid by a team like the Raiders or Jaguars who need a tight end and have a lot of salary cap flexibility.

Cleveland Browns TE Jordan Cameron

The Browns did not tag Jordan Cameron which would have cost them $8.3 million. Cameron had a disappointing 2014 by only catching two touchdowns after catching seven the previous season. Injuries were a major part, Cameron will likely receive interest from other teams so it's unlikely he's in a Browns uniform next season.

Green Bay Packers WR Randall Cobb

Cobb had an outstanding season last year, catching 91 passes for 1,287 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Packers would like to keep him, but tagging him would have meant that he made more than their #1 receiver, Jordy Nelson. Cobb's reported value is set at $12 million per year and a team like the Oakland Raiders may pay him more than that. Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers may not have one of his favorite targets next season.

Comment thoughts on the NFL tag deadline!

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Max Chadwick
Junior at St. Josephs high school in Metuchen, New Jersey. Aspiring sports writer who looks to deliver well-written articles concerning the NFL and College Football.