Only 8 teams use franchise tag

Last year, a record 21 teams used the franchise tag. This year, only eight did.

With the deadline to place the franchise tag having passed, here’s the full list of franchise players for 2013, with the one-year tender offer that comes with that player’s position:

Buffalo: S Jairus Byrd ($6,916,000)

Chicago: DT Henry Melton ($8,450,000)

Cincinnati: DE Michael Johnson ($11,175,000)

Dallas: LB Anthony Spencer ($9,619,000)

Denver: OT Ryan Clady ($9,828,000)

Indianapolis: P Pat McAfee ($2,977,000)

Kansas City: OT Branden Albert ($9,828,000)

Miami: DT Randy Starks ($8,450,000)

No player was designated as an exclusive franchise player or as a transition player.

Billsfan, what do you make of Buffalo franchising Byrd?

We needed to do it Slugger, he's a ball hawk and one of the better players on the whole team. I hope we sign him up to a multi year deal.