Players who should be tagged

In the past three years, an average of 11 teams have used the franchise tag every year. Expect that number to rise in 2012. Franchise tag values are calculated differently under the new collective bargaining agreement than they were under the old deal, and as a result they have dropped by $1.5 million to $2.5 million, depending on the position. It's much cheaper for teams to use the franchise tag now than it has been in the past, and doing so makes sense for more teams than not.

Here are five teams that need to use their franchise tags, and the players they'll want to stick around:

New Orleans Saints

To read more from Football Outsiders on players who should receive the franchise tag this offseason, including a pair of star running backs, sign up for ESPN Insider.

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