TE Jared Cook

Jared Cook had a breakout year in 2011, catching 49 passes for 759 yards and 3 touchdowns and was even better in his final 3 games, catching 21 passes for 335 yards and a score. If he can reproduce those numbers or exceed them in his 4^th season in the league, the Titans could definitely franchise tag him, especially since the franchise tag value for tight ends was the lowest of the non-special teamers in 2012, just 5.4 million. The Titans do have other options though.

Likelihood: Somewhat likely

CB Jason McCourty

The Titans lost their #1 cornerback, Cortland Finnegan, this offseason and want to avoid losing their new #1 cornerback, Jason McCourty, next offseason. However, the cornerback franchise tag value was tied for 2^nd highest in the league in 2012, 10.6 million, so McCourty, who is getting promoted from the #2 to #1 cornerback, will have to show that he’s a legitimate elite cornerback capable of shutting down opponent’s #1 receivers. The Titans are working on extensions with him and Cook right now, but likely feel more urgency to sign McCourty, as he plays a more important position and would have a more expensive franchise tag value.

Likelihood: Somewhat likely

K Rob Bironas

Punters and kickers are the most often franchised because the franchise tag values for them are very cheap and franchising them makes a lot more sense than giving them a long term deal. However, they’re almost always franchised only when the team doesn’t have someone more important to franchise. While they won’t want Bironas, a career 86.3% kicker who has been with the Titans since 2005, to leave, they’ll only franchise him if McCourty and Cook are both under contract or regress prove themselves unworthy of the franchise tag.

Likelihood: Somewhat unlikely

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