NFL Free Agency 2012: Who Gets The Franchise Tag?

Over at SBNation.com, Joel Thorman runs through all the possible players who could receive a franchise tag. For the Texans, his choice falls into the "Maybe."

Texans: Arian Foster. Similar situation as Wallace. Foster is a restricted free agent but there's concern he wouldn't be safe with a tender. So the question becomes whether Foster gets the franchise tag or not. I think he probably does just so the Texans can be sure and sleep at night. But things will get interesting if Foster has the first-round tender on him. Another huge free agent for Houston is Mario Williams, but he's just too expensive. The franchise tag would be nearly $22 million for him, and the Texans can't afford that. They'll try their best to work out a deal with him.

It's an interesting choice, with Foster getting the nod over Williams. If there's one thing everyone can agree upon, it's that Houston cannot afford to franchise tag Mario. He may sign a below-market deal to stay in town, but he will not be making $22 million this season.

That leaves Foster, who is a restricted free agent under the news Collective Bargaining Agreement rules, but could be tagged to avoid having another team swoop in and sign him away.

Who might do that? Look at other teams employing the Texans one-cut scheme...namely the Washington Redskins. But, for that to happen, the Redskins would need a running back (check). Oh, and they'd also need an owner willing to spend a ridiculous amount of money on players (check).

Would the Redskins go after Foster if the Texans gave him the highest tender? You can bet they'd take that deal, which is why Houston would need to tag Foster.