WR Wes Welker

Welker put the Patriots in an interesting situation this offseason. He’s aging and has never produced outside of New England’s system, but he’s too valuable to them for them to just let him go so they franchised him and did not sign him long term. The franchise tag value for him next offseason will be somewhere around 11.4 million since he was franchised once before, but if continues to produce, the Patriots could be put in a similar situation this offseason and they might respond the same way, by paying him a large chunk of money for one season to keep him, without having to extend him long term.

Likelihood: Unlikely

OT Sebastian Vollmer

Vollmer will play right tackle for the Patriots this season, but the 2009 2^nd round pick has experience on both sides of the line and has played well in both positions so he might end up at left tackle if 2^nd year player Nate Solder struggles. If he does that and proves to be an elite long term left tackle, they won’t want to let him go. The franchise tag value for the offensive line was 9.4 million in 2012 and should be around there in 2013 so the Patriots might feel Vollmer is worth it.

Likelihood: Somewhat unlikely

S Patrick Chung

When Patrick Chung is healthy, he’s one of the better safeties in the league and the 6.2 million dollar franchise tag value for safeties in 2012 would not be too much to pay for Chung. Even if the tag value increases, Chung would still be worth it. However, he’ll have to prove he can stay healthy first. If he can do that, he certainly is on the same level as guys like Michael Huff, Dashon Goldson, Tyvon Branch, and Michael Griffin who have been franchised at the safety position in the last 2 offseasons.

Likelihood: Somewhat likely

QB Brian Hoyer

I’m only listing Hoyer because the Patriots once franchised Matt Cassel, in order to flip him to Kansas City for a 2^nd round pick. Hoyer is considered one of the better backup quarterbacks in the league and frequently gets his name mentioned in trade talks to quarterback needy teams. However, Cassel had a full season of starting experience under his belt when the Patriots franchise tagged him, while Hoyer has never started a game.

Unless Brady gets hurt, I can’t see the Patriots going the Cassel route with Hoyer as he’d be way overpaid if they couldn’t move him as the 2012 quarterback franchise tag value was 16.1 million. Hoyer was a restricted free agent this offseason and available for a 2^nd round pick, but he couldn’t generate any interest and that would likely remain the case in 2013, especially at a higher salary.

Likelihood: Very unlikely

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